Steve Clarke – A Tribute

The CEDR family have been devasted by the news that Steve Clarke, our friend, colleague, mediator and trainer, died on Saturday following a short battle with cancer.  This tribute to Steve is  an amalgam of  recollections and memories of Steve shared by CEDR staff and faculty, and as such embodies the spirit of collaboration that Steve believed so strongly in.

Steve came to mediation from an insurance background, and as such was a mediator and trainer that blazed the trail for non-lawyer mediators. He gained his mediator accreditation in 2000 and became a part of the CEDR training faculty shortly thereafter, first as a coach and assessor and latterly as a lead trainer, travelling around the world imparting the skills to be an effective mediator, which he so personally embodied.

All who met him were struck by his warmth, sense of humility and insights into people and the problems that they were confronted with. His sense of fairness did not mean he shied away from saying what needed to be said. However, he always delivered the message, be it to parties, participants or his colleagues, with respect and a twinkle in his eye.

As dispute resolution professionals we often talk about acting consistently with our values and the principles that we teach. Steve unfailingly walked the talk and was a model to emulate.

We will all miss the times working with him, but also the times when we had time off together in different parts of the world, sharing a drink and a meal, and listening to Steve tell a story or two to keep us all entertained. Many of us also mentioned how Steve supported or encouraged them in personal moments of difficulty in their lives. This generosity of spirit will be sorely missed.

So now these times together with Steve have come to an end, and this is something we are all still struggling to comprehend. But Steve will not be forgotten, our memories of him will endure, and we are all richer for having had him as part of the CEDR family.

James South

CEDR’s Managing Director and Steve’s Friend