Zoë Wigan

Director, Head of Resolution

I lead the Resolution team – a team of highly skilled and experienced investigators and mediators who help our clients uncover, address and move beyond workplace difficulties. The excellence of our investigations and mediations is always underpinned by byrne∙dean’s commitment to creating kinder, fairer workplaces, realising potential.

My role is to build and manage relationships with our clients, to make sure that we are helping them in the way that they need, and to help team members with strategic thinking and draw on the wider byrne∙dean expertise.

Before joining byrne∙dean, I was an employment lawyer for nearly 25 years, several years of which I was a partner in a tier one employment law department, co-heading the London employment team. I’ve also worked as employment counsel in-house at a major insurer and in an HR consultancy. I’ve conducted, led and commissioned countless investigations, and strongly believe that the best way of uncovering the facts is to treat everyone involved with empathy and compassion.

Investigations can be profoundly unpleasant for everyone involved, and risk damaging already fractured relationships. The Resolution team aims to heal relationships, where we can, rather than making things worse, and I’m proud to play my part in that.

Read my full bio

2019-2020: Interim in-house Employment Council, AXA XL

2014-2023: Consultant, DAC Beachcroft

2014-2021: Director, Optimise HR

2009-2012: Co-head of DAC Beachcroft London Employment, Pensions and Immigration Group

2007-2014: Partner, DAC Beachcroft

2004-2007: Associate, Beachcroft (now DAC Beachcroft)

2000-2004: Associate, Ashurst

1998 to 2000: Solicitor, Barnett Alexander Clark

1996 to 1998: Trainee, Stephenson Harwood

BA (English), Manchester University

CPE, College of Law

LPC, College of Law

Blogs & Articles by

Zoë Wigan

Conflict at work: to escalate or de-escalate?

Our Head of Resolution Zoe Wigan shows where de-escalation can be the best solution.

People Management: Co-op staff accuse leadership team of creating ‘toxic’ culture

Head of Resolution Zoë Wigan features, advising on a common cause of toxic cultures.

HR Magazine: Half of UK workers faced toxic workplaces

Head of Resolution Zoë Wigan comments on speaking up and creating psychological safety.

People Management: Summer party season - advice for employers

Head of Resolution Zoë Wigan writes on the best next steps if inappropriate behaviour occurs.

HR Magazine: Events manager files £250,000 lawsuit after botched summer party

When workplace events go wrong, the consequences can be serious. Zoë Wigan offers practical advice for HR teams on setting expectations, supporting managers, and creating safer, more inclusive social events.

People Management: HR must protect workplace investigators from the threat of vicarious trauma

Head of Resolution Zoë Wigan shares how to recognise and mitigate this risk for investigators of distressing subject matter.

HR Magazine: 2025 will bring more workplace conflict, what's HR's next move?

Head of Resolution ZoëWigan shares three principles that can help HRs meet the challenge of workplace conflict.

Forbes: Why outside experts may be needed when dealing with workplace conflict

Our Head of Resolution Zoë Wigan is interviewed by Forbes.

HR Magazine: Meta fires staff who misused company vouchers

Head of Resolution Zoë Wigan comments stressing the importance of HR policies being clear and well communicated.

HR Magazine: How can employers respond to bullying around protected beliefs?

Zoë Wigan explains when HR should escalate workplace issues to mediators and investigators.

Management Today: When independent investigations are imperative

Head of Resolution Zoë Wigan shares why many misconduct allegations require HR leaders to appoint external investigators.

People Management: Workplace conflict is growing in 2024 – how can businesses stop it?

Our Head of Resolution, Zoë Wigan, writes for People Management magazine on this trend we’re seeing right now.

Zoe Wigan joins byrne·dean to head up growing Resolution team

We announce our new Head of Resolution.

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Workplace behaviour and culture specialists byrne·dean have appointed Zoë Wigan as their new Head of Resolution; to lead a team of highly skilled and experienced investigators and mediators who help uncover, address and move beyond workplace difficulties.

Zoë holds a deep understanding of workplace conflict from her extensive career as an employment lawyer, spanning nearly 25 years, including several years as partner of a leading employment team and roles in-house.

Zoë is the latest high profile hire for byrne·dean, who have recently appointed Anna Arbuthnot as COO and Samantha Mangwana as their strategy lead. Eva Edel and Sarika Rabheru - highly experienced mediators and investigators, also joined the growing resolution team in October.

Zoë joins byrne·dean at the same time as the team celebrates 20 years of successfully helping organisations around the world navigate challenging cultural issues and create kinder, fairer workplaces.

Matt Dean, interim Chief Executive and Co-Founder, commented: “We are so pleased to have someone of Zoë's calibre coming in to lead the team at a time when the demand for our services as independent and emotionally intelligent problem solvers is growing. Zoë is a real expert in the field who really buys into the ethos of kinder, fairer workplaces. We know we are lucky to have her.”

Zoë commented: "I've admired byrne·dean's work for many years and it's a privilege to use my skills and experience in support of byrne·dean's purpose. I'm proud to be part of a team that partners with clients both proactively and reactively across all aspects of their culture and people strategy".