Professional background and experience:

With 30 years of extensive experience in human resources (HR) and employment relations (ER) across private sector giants such as Tigerbrands, Sasol Mining, Bushveld Minerals, Chamber of Mines, Gibela, Kelly, and PAG, Attwell is a distinguished negotiator, mediator, facilitator, trainer, arbitrator, and relationship-by-objectives (RBO) specialist.

His career includes a year as an intern at the Independent Mediation Service of South Africa (IMSSA), focusing on RBO research, followed by 5 years at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) as a commissioner and trainer for bargaining councils. As a seasoned panellist, he adeptly handled RBOs, section 197 disputes, and the merging of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), providing training on collective bargaining/negotiation and facilitating strategy sessions with Exco Teams.

Having worked within a diverse range of industries e.g. mining, manufacturing, recruitment, rail, academic, and labour relations, Attwell has acquired legal acumen and advanced HR skills, shaping him as a renowned ER, conflict prevention and resolution specialist, and people leadership coach he is today. His expertise in policy formulation, compliance, ethics, values, and governance practices is underscored by a commitment to global business principles and is complemented by his role on the panel of Conflict Dynamics. 

Mediation experience and style:

With 15 years of mediation experience, Attwell adeptly handled sectoral bargaining disputes and mutual interest disputes at the CCMA and successfully mediated the conclusion of a merger between entities in an SOE as well as facilitating workplace mediation within companies of his employment. Accredited by Conflict Dynamics, International Mediation Institute (IMI) and the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) as a commercial mediator, he boasts 25 years of expertise in conflict and human resources management. Having completed the Conflict Dynamics workplace mediation course, he emphasizes a structured yet flexible approach, maintaining the discipline of neutrality and impartiality. Rooted in a joint problem-solving mindset, he believes in nudging parties toward generating solutions for their disputes. 

Facilitation experience and style:

Attwell has actively participated in the facilitation of multi-party engagements within organizations, led the facilitation of section 189 and 197 processes, and conducted facilitation sessions for Relationship-by-Objectives (RBOs) and strategic planning sessions.

Comments from clients:

“His outside strategic approach, view and contribution as well as his impartiality greatly assisted all unresolved matters to be resolved harmoniously.”