Who we are
We set up Crux to help people and communities navigate conflict, so that they can reduce stress and enjoy life more.
We’re passionate about equipping people to hold the conversations that matter, from the small things that irritate to taboo topics that are hard to face.
We believe everyone can learn how to do conflict better, and where conflicts have become overwhelming, they should have access to trained experts who can help people move forward to a less stressful future.
We deliver training, mediation and conflict coaching for individuals, work with businesses and communities to improve relationships and help society at large talk about issues well through events and comment.
We’ve had first hand experience of the power of training and conflict services to change lives. Our mission is to bring that power to communities in North London and beyond.
Our Directors
Phil Guthrie
Co-Founder & Director
Phil is an accredited civil, commercial, community and intergenerational mediator with over seven years of experience in resolving conflicts in a wide variety of situations. He is a Trustee of one of our Founding Partners, Wandsworth Mediation Service, was selected for the pioneer year of Journey of Hope, a reconciliation practitioner’s development programme, and has helped to develop “Transforming Difficult Conversations”, a five week course covering non violent communication. In his spare time, he is an engineer with over 15 years of experience facilitating workshops in sustainability, the circular economy and the conflicts specific to construction.
Sarah Hutt
Co-Founder & Director
Sarah is a mediator and coach helping clients to resolve conflicts within themselves and make changes to their lives through conversation and goal setting. She also works for Acas, the UK Government’s workplace and conflict experts, delivering campaigns and communications which help UK employers and employees improve workplace relationships. Previously, she has worked on social change in politics, for startups and in community organising. She also helped develop “Transforming Difficult Conversations,” a course on non violent communication. You can find her coaching website here.
Connie St. Louis
Director
Connie is former senior lecturer and director of the MA in Science Journalism at City University, London. She a former magistrate, an award-winning broadcaster, science journalist and writer. She previously worked for the BBC for sixteen years presenting produced a range of science and health programmes for BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service. She now works as a freelance journalist and podcaster publishing on a range of outlets.
Jen Miles
Director
Jen is a trained community mediator with a background in social work and training in counselling. She has supported vulnerable people at risk of losing their tenancy when employed by St Mungo’s, victims of anti-social behaviour and domestic violence whilst working at housing association Poplar HARCA and provided follow on support to disadvantaged women at social enterprise Luminary Bakery. She hopes to combine two interests in future by offering equine therapy to marginalised people.
Joel Robertson
Director
Joel currently combines two careers, one in communications and the other as a psychotherapist counsellor. He has worked in diverse industries from music to healthcare to his current work at Tearfund, a social action charity. In his spare time he is a musician and occasional long-distance runner.
Mark Scoggins
Director
Mark is a chartered accountant, currently working for Save the Children. He has previously worked with a range of small charities in New Zealand, helping to develop and improve sustainable financial systems. He is passionate about using his skills to strengthen social impact organisations. He snowboards, often dangerously.
Stephen Ruttle KC
Director
Stephen is a commercial mediator. Originally a barrister and KC, he switched to mediation 18 years ago and has since become one of the UK’s top mediators, regularly mediating cases where tens of millions of pounds are at stake. In 2017 he was rated in, Who’s Who Legal “Thought Leaders: Mediation” as one of only five in Europe and 16 in the world. He also set up Wandsworth Mediation Service 15 years ago to offer free community mediation to his local community. He is also a lepidopterist, which means he is fascinated by moths.
Our Partners
Key Partner
Wandsworth Mediation Service (WMS) has been delivering professional mediation locally for over 15 years to neighbours, families and organisations in conflict. Set up by Stephen Ruttle QC, one of the UK’s leading mediators, WMS gives people the opportunity to be at peace with one another and themselves so that they can enjoy life and community more. Supported by over 50 trained volunteer mediators, WMS also works in schools and with groups of residents to equip Wandsworth children, communities and individuals to navigate conflict and build good relationships. WMS empowers without imposing, listens without fixing and collaborates without judging.
