Marilyn Smyth, Managing Director of Making a Difference, has many years experience in the business and public sectors as a specialist employee relations consultant.

Marilyn is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, and was Vice Chair of the CIPD Committee for Docklands & East London. She is also a Fellow of the Institute of Leadership & Management, qualified in Employment & Workplace Mediation, a Member of the Civil Mediation Council and qualified with the British Psychological Society in psychometric testing.

Marilyn was an Employment Tribunal member and regularly sat on Employment Tribunal panels for 12 years and was a School Governor at Passmores Academy for many years. Marilyn gained experience in the public and private sectors and, until launching Making a Difference, was Head of Organisational Development for a large London Local Authority, and later for an outsourced public service provider. This most recent endeavour, gave her an understanding of the balance between the business and public sectors; a gap which she believes is rapidly closing.

Since the launch of Making a Difference in 2003, Marilyn has worked in 58 Local Authorities, 4 national charities, 3 government departments, 5 large NHS Trusts, 2 outsourcing companies and a variety of large and small businesses.

Marilyn keeps abreast of new legislation and guidelines in order to offer support to clients at the earliest time.

Marilyn, and her experienced team, undertake un-biased disciplinary, bullying or harassment complaints, whistleblowing, safeguarding and grievance investigations. Making a Difference also undertakes mediations both for existing staff and to gain settlement with ex-staff or those involved in exit negotiations.

The most important value Marilyn holds is that of integrity; both in the way she runs her consultancy firm and the advice she gives to her clients. She tackles every activity with enthusiasm, is highly motivated and energetic. She has the skills and experience to make a real difference to your organisation.