About us

I’m Susan! I started MutualGain because I know conversations can change lives — I’ve lived it. From being labelled a teenage mum and NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) to becoming an academic and public servant, I’ve seen how powerful it is when people are truly heard.

Now I spend my time helping communities and organisations have the big, tricky conversations that build trust and spark real change. For me, it’s simple: when voices are heard, better futures are possible. Dialogue is our superpower.

I’m Theo. What I enjoy most is working with and learning about people. My time studying History and Politics in Hong Kong, and my work with MutualGain, have shown me how important it is to create spaces where people can be heard, shape ideas, and influence the decisions that affect their lives.

I also love turning these discussions into clear insights: whether it’s analysing thousands of contributions from citizens’ assemblies or exploring how AI can support our work. I see data and technology as assets to honour what people share, and I’m fascinated by how they can be harnessed to strengthen citizens’ voices. For me, technology is a tool, but at the heart of it are always people, their stories, and the futures they want to build.

I’m Jenny. I often step in to lead when Susan isn’t around. My background is in senior leadership roles in the Home Office and local government, and as CEO of a sport for social change charity that support young people to find positive pathways. I love the community coaching at MutualGain and all the facilitation work that helps people grow in confidence.

I support both participants and colleagues to find their voice in complex conversations. I’ve trained in a whole range of approaches, from Executive Coaching and NLP to mBIT coaching (using our multiple intelligence) and behavioural change, but at the heart of it all is listening without judgement.

That’s something I first honed as a Samaritan, where I also trained men in Brixton Prison to become peer “Listeners.” Those experiences, along with my inclusive style, help me create spaces where people feel respected, safe and able to fully take part.

I’m Andrew. I lead on policing at MutualGain, working on some of the most sensitive issues in public life — from organised crime and drug misuse to anti-social behaviour. I design dialogue processes with police and communities that rebuild trust, from World Cafés and Participatory Budgeting and I support our Citizens’ Assemblies.

Alongside my role here, I lecture in policing studies and have led independent evaluations, including work with Durham Constabulary that showed unprecedented results in improving confidence and reducing crime. I also tutor on our accredited Building Social Capital programme, training public service professionals to make engagement more inclusive, strengths-based, and impactful.

A passionate change maker committed to improving public and social spheres. After many years working in community development activities my goals remain the same to contribute to a fair and just society that values every individual.

The great thing about my goal is the very interesting journey it provides! I’ve been able to contribute towards achieving better opportunities and outcomes for a wide range of people in current and previous roles in Local Government.

I’m Michael. I’ve spent over 30 years working across local government, the NHS and higher education, always focused on tackling inequality and creating fairer systems. At MutualGain, I’ve facilitated assemblies on travel, climate, trade and politics — helping people work through complex evidence and reach trusted recommendations.

I also support communities in health and education, from tackling Covid inequalities to addressing race inequality in schools. For me, it’s all about inclusive dialogue and making sure every voice is heard and respected in shaping decisions.

I’m Kate, I came late to this career after caring for children and family who have a diverse set of needs. This lived experience enables me to bring a deep personal understanding of advocacy and inclusion, which I embed in the inclusive facilitation that MutualGain is known for.

I am excited by learning and love to support others to learn and share, which I do as a facilitator of Citizens’ Assemblies in MutualGain. I love how we help people tackle big policy questions with clarity and care.

My calm and responsive approach helps people feel practically supported and emotionally safe when guiding community conversations. I am passionate about creating spaces where participation is meaningful, accessible, and rooted in evidence.

I’m Tanya. I’ve been supporting MutualGain’s Citizens’ Assemblies and other engagement events for the past three years, welcoming participants, helping with guidance, and making sure everyone feels valued and comfortable from the moment they arrive.

My background is in front-of-house hospitality and customer service, and I’ve also worked in nurseries and as a teaching assistant with teenagers with special educational needs. Those experiences taught me patience, empathy, and the importance of clear communication, all of which I bring into every programme.

I love creating a safe, positive environment where people feel at ease, can focus fully on the discussions, and know their well-being is being looked after.

I’m Jed. My day job is in biotechnology, where I’m passionate about using emerging science to limit the damage we’re doing to people and the planet. I’ve also grown up with MutualGain: from my teenage years through to my PhD, I’ve worked across almost every part of their work — from facilitation to data analysis and reporting. Its philosophy has shaped how I see change happening.

For me, science and social justice go hand in hand. The breakthroughs we need can only last if the voices of all communities are heard, especially those most affected by systemic injustices. That’s why, even from Australia, I still jump in to support MutualGain’s online assemblies and inclusive dialogues.

At heart, I believe in combining innovation with empathy: using knowledge to build a fairer, more sustainable world, powered by communities who have a real say.

I’m Becks, and I love creating spaces where people can really listen to each other especially when the issues feel tough or polarised. Caring about the way we talk to each other and listen is important to me, which is why I created the Listening Exchange method: a tool I am further developing with the University of Oxford and something you can access through MutualGain.

My background is a mix of frontline and global: I mediate with families referred to me by social care, support community mediation with Calm Mediation, and have spent 13 years as a British Diplomat in conflict zones including the Balkans, Sudan and Afghanistan.

What ties it all together is my facilitation style which is rooted in empathy, respect and curiosity. I like to help people move from conflict to shared understanding, showing that even the hardest conversations can lead to connection and change.

I’m Antigua. My journey with MutualGain started on the other side of the table — as a participant in one of their programmes. I was offered an apprenticeship and went on to complete the Level 4 Award in Building Social Capital through Community Engagement.

When Covid hit, I had to move on as MutualGain focused on survival, but I’ve never really left. I still love to get involved whenever I can, usually as a facilitator on Citizens’ Assemblies.

By day, I work as a Community Engagement Officer for a council, but MutualGain will always be part of my story. For me, it’s about giving back and helping create the kind of conversations that bring communities together.