auxano consultancy
Capacity-Community-Commitment
We truly appreciate and value each person/organisation who has worked with us over the years.
We want to remain transparent and genuine with the feedback we receive. Below are all the comments we've received.
We hope these comments offer a broader and richer insight into Auxano Consultancy and Stu.
Firstly, Sabrina, Dwain and Jordan - three people who have worked alongside me every day for the last six years.....
"When I first met Stu during an interview, he asked me, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” I responded, “Doing your job.” He gave me the kind of look that said, “Challenge accepted.” Since offering me the role, he has gone above and beyond to ensure I have developed the skills, experience and confidence to become an impactful leader. Stu has a rich tapestry of experience in creating supportive environments that empower people in the community to become the best version of themselves. He is an empathetic leader who recognises people’s strengths and challenges them thoughtfully, helping to build their confidence and develop a growth mindset. Stu always starts messages and meetings with, “How are you?” Not out of habit, but to genuinely encourage people to bring their authentic selves into the spaces he creates. This reflects his genuine care for people’s wellbeing in practice. He doesn’t direct; he explains. Coupled with his humility and openness to learning from others and receiving feedback, this demonstrates his belief in people and their ability to be leaders in their own right." JORDAN GAYLE - OASIS YOUTH MANAGER
Working alongside Stu for the past six years has been incredibly valuable, both professionally and personally. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise, along with deep insight into behavioural psychology. He consistently highlights my strengths while thoughtfully supporting me in developing areas where I’ve needed to grow. Stu has a strong ability to see the bigger picture and identify ways to create greater value and impact for the people he works with. He’s not afraid to challenge the status quo to achieve fairer, more positive outcomes, and he stands firmly behind those he supports. Approachable, reflective, and highly relational, Stu is committed to bringing out the best in others. I would strongly recommend him to anyone looking to grow both professionally and personally. SABRINA BROOKS OASIS YOUTH LEAD (TARGETED)
I really value the leadership that Stu brings to our team. He leads with openness, honesty and genuine care, and that creates a space where I feel supported and able to grow. His daily check-ins never feel routine, they feel intentional and thoughtful and with these reasons this is why I have stayed in my role for the length of time, I have. I have gone through several traumatic situations in my life, where I felt loved and seen throughout, I was treated with kindness and compassion. I was given flexible working and considerations, that I have not received in previous roles. Even during times when he should be taking a proper break, he remains approachable and willing to listen, which says a lot about his commitment to the team. He has had a big impact on my development within A&E, especially in helping me grow into my own leadership qualities, in times where I could of responded in ways that could impact how I am seen. He has guided me in navigating professional spaces with more confidence and awareness, and his feedback around communication has been particularly important. He has helped me refine my tone so that my message is understood clearly while still feeling authentic to me. His style is flexible, relatable and professional, with strong interpersonal skills that make him easy to work with. I have learned so much from watching how he manages people and systems, particularly how he brings a therapeutic and culturally competent lens to environments that can often feel rigid. It is genuinely a pleasure to work with him. Stu, is also teachable and dynamic in how he views complex issues, having a community but humanistic focus, if you have the pleasure of working with Stu, you will not regret it. DWAIN ALLEN OASIS YOUTH MANAGER (A&E)
Here are some comments from people who have collaborated with me over the years...
"I think Stu will be an excellent coach; he gets people, he listens and he is driven to help. I have known Stu for almost 10 years. From the first time I met him it was clear he had a deep sense of purpose around working, and helping, young people and their families. He has led a number of projects that we, Mishcon de Reya, have supported with both our people and financially. We have backed him and the work he has led because he clearly knows what he is doing, has demonstrated the impact of the work, and has helped our people learn and grown in the process. Stu has been a very strong advocate for what he and his organisation have done – and has managed to straddle the worlds of delivery of care along with commercial nous (i.e. identifying partners and raising funds). On a personal note, he helped me and my family on one occasion, and helped us navigate an incredibly delicate situation. As he once said to me "I keep your children safe" – and he did." ELLIOT MOSS - PARTNER AND CHIEF BRAND OFFICER, MISHCON DE REYA
"The coaching support I have received from Stu has been truly invaluable. His ability to listen deeply to the challenges I face, combined with the thoughtful insights and practical solutions he offers, has helped me navigate some of the most demanding moments of my leadership journey. Having Stu’s guidance as I work through career transitions and deepen my understanding of myself has been incredibly beneficial. He has helped me reflect more clearly, approach challenges with greater confidence, and believe more strongly in my own abilities, contributing meaningfully to both my personal and professional growth. Stu’s kind, caring, and supportive nature allows him to meet you where you are and guide you with authenticity on a journey of self-discovery. His extensive professional and life experience make him an exceptionally skilled coach, particularly for someone like me working within the same sector. To say that I highly recommend Stu as a coach feels like an understatement." CHARLINE KING MBE - HEAD OF CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE, RATHBONE
"I have known Stu for over 15 years, in both a personal and professional capacity. He’s someone whom I have always found to be approachable, honest and open. He’s also a great listener and I have always got a great deal out of my meetings with him. Stu has a wide and in-depth knowledge of youth work and the youth violence prevention system."
LEE DEMA - PROJECT DIRECTOR, ST MATTHEWS PROJECT
"Stu delivers proactive, motivational and creative support with the professionals he assists. I have seen him work equally well with a diverse group of people, faith, cultures, ethnicity and generations, allowing each person to come as they are and be included. Stu is great at problem solving and identifying and adopting clear routes to achieve targets and move forward. He has developed and strengthened the capacity of the charity through the challenges of voluntary funding issues and lack of statutory assistance. He has creatively found ways to fund-raise and add value and has looked to collaborate with others rather than compete in order to secure assistance. He is a great teacher and mentor and many people young and older look to him for guidance and leadership. Stu is very sincere and humble and those attributes allow him to fit within a group and his natural leadership gives him the opportunity to guide and assist through consultation. I have learnt an incredible amount from him personally and have watched many others flourish under his guidance." HELEN ALVES - SENIOR SERVICES MANAGER, MISSING PEOPLE
Stu has been a pivotal figure in my life for around 15 years. His approach is empathy first. He looks at the human in the situation before the situation itself — but adds value across both. He has a rare ability to engage with your worldview, understand your framework and thinking, and then help you refine that thinking in a way that is insightful and deeply valuable. What sets Stu apart is his strategic depth. He doesn’t just support you emotionally — he thinks alongside you. He can place himself in the shoes of other stakeholders you’re engaging with, while also analysing the technical and strategic business decisions at hand. That balance is powerful. When discussing leadership, Stu creates a space where you can openly share challenges without judgement. He’s quick to reflect back your achievements and strengths, especially when you’re facing difficult moments. That’s incredibly important in leadership, which can be complex and isolating. In terms of care, Stu is diligent and consistent. He checks in. He circles back. He holds you steady through high-pressure periods. His style is humanist, grounded in strong strategic theory around decision-making and leadership. It’s you in the chair — with him supporting, analysing options, and examining the motivations and character of the stakeholders around you. Above all, Stu has impeccable integrity. He’s authentic and direct, but never without compassion. And he knows what you need to hear — not just what you want to. CHRISTOFF TAYLOR - FOUNDER AND CEO, YCUK
"Stu is a highly effective and personable leader. Whether he is engaging with youngsters from troubled backgrounds, organising an event or generating new and innovative ideas for business and community projects he is above all else pragmatic. Stu delivers truly visionary real-world solutions from inception to completion through determination and hard graft; and he does it all with a smile on his face." SIMON CLARKE - RETIRED CAPTAIN, THE BRITISH ARMY
"If I was charged with safeguarding the young people in such dangerous situations, I would want Stu Thomson at my side. Stu has extensive experience of working effectively with hard-to-reach young people. He has a rare understanding of the complex dynamics of gang-affected neighbourhoods and the risks posed to the young people and families who live there. More than most other professionals in this demanding field, he also understands the policies and administrative and professional multi-agency practices that can make gang-affected neighbourhoods safer and fast-forward young people out of gang involvement." PROFESSOR JOHN PITTS MA PhD Dip Ed DipYW FRSA,
“Stu has dedicated his life to the benefit of others and specifically in his incredible youth work. There are so many young people who need guidance, positivity and hope. Stu gives all of these things to young people in abundance. I’ve seen first hand that how he has transformed the lives of people who haven’t been given the chances and opportunities others have been so fortunate to have. The world is a much better place because of people like Stu who puts the happiness and well being of others before himself. It’s a pleasure to know him and call him a friend." GEORGE CLARKE - TV PRESENTER AND ARCHITECT
"Stu is a friend and mentor.
A friend who I can be open and honest with…the good stuff and the tough stuff.
Stu doesn’t mind taking the role of mentor and challenging me, and this really helps me to think more deeply about some of the ideas I hold.
Stu has greatly helped me with proposals and strategies for the small charity I run which aims to empower girls in Kenya. It is good to have his support with an initiative that at times can be discouraging on your own.
Stu is always encouraging. It is good to have a committed friend to call on. I look forward to furthering our journey."
ANDY GREENBANK - DIRECTOR BR8 CONSTRUCTION LTD
"Stu is a charismatic and an inspirational leader. Stu is a "can do" character rolls up his sleeves to get things done. He quickly grasps key issues in new situations and is a good man to have on your team. He is a delight to work with."
TIM MARTINDALE - FORMER DIRECTOR OF OVERSEAS OPERATIONS, MISSION DIRECT
"I have observed, and worked alongside Stu on a trip abroad and I have got involved in some projects since. I am very impressed and inspired. Stu is a true leader: a genuine heart for people, a great professional, great practical ideas and great fun."
LUCA BOSATTA - RETIRED MD AT AT GLOBAL INVESTMENT BANK