Who we are

Rhuari is a Director as well as lead evaluator, project manager, facilitator and trainer. First introduced to the fascinating world of trade-offs and conflicts in his MSc in Agricultural Economics, the interest has stuck for over 15 years. He loves nothing more than asking the right simple question that gets to the heart of an issue. During the summer he can also be found wielding a scythe in a hay meadow.

Richard is a Director as well as a lead designer, facilitator, trainer and dialogue consultant. With roots in forestry and shoots in the sustainability world, Richard has worked on some of the most challenging and contentious topics. Always fostering the potential for mutual understanding and common ground, he also loves nothing more than helping those easily ignored find a place at the table. With twenty years in the field Richard keeps his feet on the ground by running in the woods, raising vegetables and (still) growing kids.

Jane specialises in project management and report writing. From a career in finance she moved into management and leadership development training for a wide range of UK and international organisations. This has given her great insight into what it takes for groups of people with diverse viewpoints to work together. Outside the world of engagement she is passionate about working with horses and dogs, and has an MSc in chiropractic techniques for animals.

Helen specialises in analysis, evaluation, developing materials and project reports. A background in natural sciences and a conviction that solving problems requires people to talk combined more than a decade ago, leading her to the world of public and stakeholder engagement. There's nothing Helen enjoys more than making sense of complicated issues (and people!). She could also write you a theme tune or sing you a song, but that's another story...

Rowena provides process design, facilitation and training. Many years spent developing partnership projects for Bristol City Council led to an interest in working towards sustainable solutions with groups of people from very different backgrounds. She believes empathy is key to the success of any kind of personal interaction, whether a large conference, workshop, training session or team meeting. Rowena fits in being a yoga teacher as well, even though it's a bit of a stretch!

Penny is a process designer, lead facilitator and trainer, specialising in multi-stakeholder dialogue. Originally studying anthropology and linguistics, her first career was in environmental campaigning but she swapped placards for post-it notes as she realised sustainability problems need win-win solutions. Penny loves to help teams plan their stakeholder engagement and collaborative work, so they can be better equipped to work without outside help in the future. Currently training to register all kinds of marriages, she’s looking forward to her first wedding.

Carl designs and delivers workshops, as well as providing training and evaluating. As a trained mediator he brings a considered and even style to all of his work.
A social scientist by training and a communications manager in his early career, Carl has spent the last couple of decades honing his skills on the tricky issues of the day. When not working or researching he can be spotted swimming along the coastline of South Devon.

Jenny specialises in project management. A degree in politics and education led to ten years in international development, where participatory working methods were the norm. She enjoys the challenge of understanding what all those involved in a project are looking for, and working out ways of achieving those outcomes in a good humoured and practical way! Jenny and her family run a small farm where cattle, sheep and goats keep them busy when not working on other things.

Hannah provides facilitation support, reporting, copy writing and client liaison. During her university studies she researched the merits of community-led conservation over traditional methods, leading to a career in engagement and consultation. More recently she has enjoyed developing materials for a range of audiences tackling complex health and environmental issues. In her spare time she can be found in a very different kind of workshop (the kind with chisels and mallets!) as she restores and reupholsters antique furniture.

Laura specialises in project evaluation. A former university lecturer with a doctorate in global history, Laura enjoys bringing her big-picture thinking to projects with real-world urgency. When not interviewing, researching, observing and synthesising, Laura can be found overpruning her garden and waxing nostalgic about autumn in her native New England.