About Richard
Mediator for entrepreneurs, boards and management teams facing conflicts and deadlocked collaborations
Experienced mediator for entrepreneurs
Richard Walraven is a mediator for entrepreneurs, boards and management teams dealing with tension, conflict or deadlocked collaboration. He guides parties in restoring workable relationships and achieving clear, future-proof agreements, with a focus on both results and relationships.
He earned his stripes as an HR manager and in marketing and communications, combining this with his experience as a driven entrepreneur. As a result, he understands better than anyone how interests, pressure and dynamics within organisations intersect. Richard is accustomed to operating at all levels of the business: from shop floor to boardroom and shareholders.
"Addressing not just the visible conflict, but also the underlying patterns."
In addition to being a mediator, he is a trainer and coach, specialised in team development and intrinsic motivation. He applies this expertise not only to address the visible conflict, but also the underlying patterns that influence collaboration. He brings clarity to where the friction lies, in behaviour, communication or interests, and guides parties towards sustainable change.
"Bringing calm and structure to complex situations, while keeping the business interest always in view."
His style is clear, analytical and goal-oriented. Richard brings calm and structure to complex situations and asks the questions needed to get to the heart of the matter. He moves effortlessly between content and process, and creates a setting in which openness becomes possible, without losing sight of the business interest.
Richard works with organisations that choose control and progress. His focus is on breaking impasses, restoring trust and strengthening collaboration, so that parties can move forward with clear agreements and renewed focus.
Mediator, CIRCYOULAR® | MASTER
What you can expect from me
Wat cliënten van mijn bijstand vinden
Lees hier hoe ondernemers mij beoordelen
A mediator who brings calm to a hopeless situation
"After months of stalled negotiations with my co-shareholder, I had little hope left. Richard managed to normalise relations and restart the conversation within just a few sessions. What struck me: he truly listens, asks the right questions and forces you to think about what you actually want. No judgment, no taking sides — just a clear and structured process. We ultimately reached a workable buyout arrangement without going to court. Enormous relief."
Thomas
Real estate sector
Professional, clear and human
"Our management team was completely stuck due to personal friction between two board members. We had tried everything, but nothing worked. Richard guided the process with a combination of sharpness and humanity that I rarely see. He clearly identified what was really going on — not the surface-level conflict, but the underlying interests and dynamics. After four sessions we had clear agreements and the team could function again."
Lisanne
Business services
Finally someone who understands how business really works
"Richard understands better than anyone what is at stake in a conflict between business partners. He has entrepreneurial experience himself and that shows — he does not speak from a theoretical framework but from the reality of doing business. In our case, it involved a deep-rooted breach of trust between two partners. Richard helped us move from a destructive pattern to a constructive conversation. The result: clear agreements and the preservation of a business relationship we both value."
Martijn
Construction & Real estate
Calm, structure and results
"I was involved in a conflict within the board of our family business. Emotions were running high and it seemed impossible to have a normal conversation. Richard managed to break through that. His approach is calm, analytical and at the same time very practical. He always keeps the business interest in focus, without forgetting the human aspect. Thanks to his guidance we created internal peace and made clear agreements about the future."
Sandra
Family business
Mediation as the smartest choice
"I was initially sceptical about mediation. But Richard proved me wrong. He knows exactly how to steer a conversation without steering it. He creates a safe environment where you dare to be open, while at the same time keeping the process tight. Our conflict over the division of roles and responsibilities was resolved in three sessions. Faster and cheaper than a lawsuit, and with the relationship preserved."
Erik
Advisory & Consultancy
Knowledgeable, empathetic and goal-oriented
"Richard guided us through a conflict between two managers that was threatening to escalate into formal procedures. His combination of an HR background and mediation experience makes him unique. He understands both the human and the organisational dynamics and knows how to link them intelligently. The result exceeded expectations: both managers stayed on and are working constructively together again."
Anouk
Retail
A mediator who brings calm to a hopeless situation
"After months of stalled negotiations with my co-shareholder, I had little hope left. Richard managed to normalise relations and restart the conversation within just a few sessions. What struck me: he truly listens, asks the right questions and forces you to think about what you actually want. No judgment, no taking sides — just a clear and structured process. We ultimately reached a workable buyout arrangement without going to court. Enormous relief."
Thomas
Real estate sector