Staff Team

Antonia Lynn: Director and Year Leader for Year 2 (Online)

I completed the course as a participant in 1999 and have been a tutor since 2002, with a few years’ break teaching on other courses. I have a doctorate in Practical Theology, writing my thesis on the transformational dynamic of the Spiritual Exercises – a subject I continue to pursue with passion. Formerly an Anglican permanent deacon, I was received into the Catholic Church in 2000.

Bruce Batstone: Course Director

I think it’s fair to say that the ISC has changed my life! It was only when I did the Spiritual Exercises in daily life, as a student on the course (2002-2005), did I learn what it means to be a child of God. I have been a tutor since 2006, becoming a Director in 2023. Also, I am Chaplain at the Julian Shrine in Norwich, as well as being a parish priest in the city too.

My life includes being a Companion and Oblate of Julian of Norwich, a spiritual director, and a giver of retreats.

My passions include listening to the Archers, red wine and holidays.

Diane Rutter: Year Leader (In-person)

My journey with ISC started pre-pandemic and spanned lockdowns, giving me firsthand experience of navigating both in-person and online learning as a student. 

Since then, I have relished opportunities to step into new roles – first as a tutor assistant, then as a Year 3 tutor, and now leading Year 1 In-Person. This journey is deeply mutual, and I continue to love the depths of shared personal growth as we listen to God and explore Ignatian spirituality together. 

My background is rooted in active, service-oriented roles, including nursing, humanitarian aid, and running foodbanks. Today, my focus centers on guiding others through spiritual direction, supervision, and leading retreats.  Alongside this ministry, I cherish stillness, simplicity, and restoration. I am a Companion of Contemplative Fire (a dispersed Anglican community www.contemplative fire.org). And I find joy in yoga, naturism, and the freedom of splashing through the waves on wide-open beaches.  

Mitzi James: Course Tutor (In-person)

I’m the parish priest of St John and St Luke, Clay Hill in the Diocese of London. Before this I was curate at Hornsey Parish Church, having been formed for the priesthood at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield. I have a background working with those who have experienced homelessness and domestic abuse and was also a volunteer with the Samaritans and at Pentonville Prison. I’m a graduate of the Ignatian Spirituality Course and a member of a dispersed and inclusive international Community. I enjoy reading, hiking and scuba diving – although not all at the same time!

Yen Vu: Assistant (In-person)

Having had a fruitful working life, I took an early retirement in 2023 and embarked on the ISC course at Mount Street. I completed in July 2026, and realised that the gifts that I have been given through training and development aren’t for me alone, but ones to pass on to others like people before me, and for my part, I am joyfully keen to walk, to share with you in your journey through the ISC first year. In other times, I enjoy volunteering in my local church, swimming, singing and embracing the golden nugget from the ISC: my quiet encountering times early in the morning to listen, to talk and to respond which I must admit, it is not always easy but what I can say is, grace is always available.

Sue Pitts: Year Leader (Online)

I was drawn to the ISC after experiencing the amazing gift of being accompanied by Ignatian directors at St Beuno’s. I trained on the course several years ago, and now I enjoy accompanying others in spiritual direction, in weeks/months of accompanied prayer and in the Exercises. My background is in mathematics, working first in secondary schools, and then as a university lecturer. Teaching has always been a much-valued part of my life, and I find it a great joy and privilege to be with others as they learn and grow. I live just outside Cambridge, where I have lived for many years. I’m an Anglican, and a Franciscan Tertiary.

Judith Cox: Tutor (Online)

My connection with the Ignatian Sprirituality Course began in 2015 when I discovered the course through a friend and fell in love with it. I completed the training in 2018 and have been a tutor since 2019. After a career teaching English Language and Literature, it’s a joy to continue teaching and learning, and to see how participants form a learning community with its own a sense of purpose, energy, and deepening spirituality. Ignatian spirituality is at the heart of my practice as a tutor, a spiritual director and a local church member. Like so many others, I found the Spiritual Exercises transformative and they continue to nourish me now.

Siobhan Regan: Assistant (Online)

I undertook the Spiritual Exercises (19^th Annotation) in 2014 after completing an MA in Pastoral Theology.  My Ignatian journey began before this as I was part of a Jesuit parish and helped on the various courses offered.  I completed my spiritual direction training in 2017.  I have just completed the IE course and relished every moment; I am full of joy to be asked to help with the year 1 cohort. I am passionate about Ignatian spirituality as it helps me see God in everyday life.  As a ministry, it encourages me to pray, reflect, care for others, and serve my community.  I value its focus on faith, compassion and walking alongside others in their faith journey.  It inspires me to grow and make a positive difference. I enjoy everything creative and walking my springer Spaniel Margo on the beach, both feed my soul.

Susanne Carlsson: Year Leader (In-person)

Originally from Sweden, I am now a priest in the Church of England and the Spiritual Adviser for Rochester Diocese. I finished the course as a participant in 2005 and have since been involved in giving the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola and teaching on various spiritual direction training courses in UK and Scandinavia.

I recently completed a doctorate in Practical Theology researching ‘What is distinctive about Ignatian religious life, and how can it be lived in the Anglican Church?’

Margaret Whipp: Year Leader (In-person)

I am a retired priest living in Oxford. My first profession was in medicine and I brought a keen interest in human wellbeing into my life as a pastor, teacher and spiritual director. For many years I have served in theological education, preparing people for a variety of ministries in the church. I still love the stimulus of shared learning and discovery in a community of Christian disciples.

My enthusiasm for Ignatian spirituality was kindled at St Beuno’s spirituality centre, where the full Spiritual Exercises proved to be a transformative experience. Training and teaching on the Ignatian Spiritual Course has been a great joy, seeing people with a rich variety of gifts inspired to apply the Ignatian genius in their own lives and those of others.

My book on Pastoral Theology was published by SCM in 2013; and The Grace of Waiting was published in 2017. I am currently completing a book on Trauma Recovery using the insights and exercises of Ignatian spirituality.

Liz Waldy: Tutor (In-person)

I am the Spirituality Lead at the London Jesuit Centre, where I am involved in leading training and retreats in Ignatian Spirituality and prayer. I began my Ignatian journey in the same Mayfair building about 13 years ago when I unexpectedly found myself between jobs – it was a life-changing encounter with God. 

Subsequently I trained as a prayer guide with the team from St Bueno’s and graduated from the ISC spiritual direction course in 2024.  I am just back from Loyola where I directed on the 30 day retreat in St Ignatius home town.  Before joining the team at the Jesuit Centre I worked in fundraising and marketing in the charity sector, primarily in international development.

I live in South London where I seek to live a contemplative life, whilst enjoying finding God in all the riches of London life, especially theatre, art and all the great places to walk.  I can give you all sorts of recommendations of the treasures you can find near Mount Street!

Sheelagh Daly: Assistant (In-Person)

I found the 19th Annotation truly transformative. It led me to give up my career in law to train as a spiritual director, completing the ISC course in 2011. Along the way, I taught law at the Open University and was a licensed lay Minister in the Anglican church. I trained as a counsellor/therapist and have enjoyed combining that work with accompanying others in spiritual direction, weekly/Lenten retreats in daily life and the Exercises. The Ignatian Enrichment course I recently completed has deepened my spiritual accompaniment. I enjoy reading, learning, and looking at art in all its forms.

Emily Miller: Tutor (Online)

As a Franciscan (TSSF) having a Spiritual Director is part of my Rule of Life so I’ve had a Spiritual Director for almost 20 years. I have found spiritual direction to be such a blessing to my faith journey. I’ve had wonderful spiritual directors and felt called to the vocation myself around 10 years ago. I trained on the 3 year Ignatian course and loved the course and learning the art of spiritual direction. I now offer Spiritual Direction in London and Worcestershire and have been an assistant then tutor on the course for 6 years. It’s a real privilege to work with the ISC staff and students – I learn from both every session. 

Rosie Privett: Tutor (Online)

Throughout my professional life in education my deepest desire was to support others in their journey of growth, helping them to make meaning for themselves.  In retirement my journey with Ignatian spirituality grew through retreats at St Beunos and making the Exercises between 2014 and 2016. Here, compassionate directors held the space, listening without judgement, igniting my desire to offer such a space for others. These experiences were life-changing. I trained as a Spiritual Director at St Beunos, the London Centre and through the Ignatian Enrichment course. This passion continues in my ongoing ministry of Direction and will follow new paths as I support ISC staff and students. I relish finding God in poetry, music, the created world and spending time with my husband, children and grandchildren.

Ben Kerridge: Year Leader (In-person)

I’ve been teaching year 3 since 2019, after training on the ISC course. I practise as a spiritual director and am a parish priest. I’ve completed the exercises both in daily life, and on a 30-Day retreat.

I love the 3^rd year transition from being tutors and students to fellow spiritual directors, and it’s exciting to be around as vocations blossom and students take the first steps into their own practice. I’m really interested in using the images and experiences directees themselves bring, to help people engage in the life-changing dynamic of the exercises at a very personal level.

I enjoy wild swimming and improvising drama.

Nicola Mason: Course Tutor (In-person)

Having trained with ISC in 2012, I taught on the Exploring Christian Spirituality and Encounter courses at LCSD prior to joining the staff of ISC in 2019. I value the privilege of being alongside others on their spiritual journey, and in addition to teaching on the course, offer spiritual direction and supervision, and lead retreats. It’s always a joy to see students growing in both the range of their skills and their confidence in offering spiritual direction. I enjoy various forms of creativity, some of which find their way into my prayer and my teaching. I can often be found knitting during the lunch break! 

Catriona McPhail: Assistant (In-person)

I first encountered Ignatian Spirituality and the Spiritual Exercises (30 day retreat) over 30yrs ago when I joined religious life in the Society of the Holy Child Jesus. More recently I have been nurtured again by making the Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life. In living out the loving relationship I have with Jesus I have endeavoured to help others ‘live fully human lives’ and to ‘find God in all things’ through my ministries in nursing, midwifery and education. I currently work in a hospice-based programme alongside individuals and families living with dementia and now am gently beginning the spiritual accompaniment of others on their journey with God. As a recent graduate of the ISC I look forward to sharing and journeying with you in the year ahead. I love walking – the more immersed in nature the better – and am inspired and appreciate art in its many forms.

Ita Reynolds: Assistant (In-person)

I am a recent graduate of the ISC Ignatian Spiritual Direction course completing July this year.  Discovering Ignatian Spirituality in the 90’s, my life was greatly impacted by what is a very relational, dynamic and discerning model. It set me on a path towards knowing who I am supposed to be and doing what I am supposed to do. It was a spiritual homecoming at a much deeper level at the time, resonating with my personal expression of faith as a missionary ‘to know God and make Him known’. I have a long history in accompanying people both professionally and spiritually as part of an inter-denominational medical mission overseas, as a midwife and later working with people with AIDS including issues of mental health. I currently live and work in central London as a Spiritual Director with a great love of the arts and great outdoors at weekends. It is a privilege to be joining the third-year students as they grow into their vocation.

Kerryann Cope: Year Leader (online)

I discovered Ignatian spirituality and the ISC during a period of burnout, and it saved my faith. After completing the course in 2019, I became the 3rd year assistant which was interrupted by covid, and the birth of my first child. I have since returned as 3rd year online tutor and had a second baby. I deeply treasure the journey with students becoming confident spiritual directors and guides of the Ignatian Exercises.

Alison Griffiths: Tutor (online)

Spiritual directing has been an important part of my life for over 20 years, as a directee and as a director. I did the Exercises in daily life and trained on the ISC. It is such a joy to see how students develop their skills and passion for the Exercises that, when I was asked to return as a tutor, it was an easy decision to say ‘yes’. I am a Baptist minister as well as a spiritual director. I live in mid Wales, love walking, gardening and the creative arts. 

Ella Bartelsian: Assistant (online)

I live in Yerevan, Armenia, with my husband and our four children. I trained with the ISC for three years, and I’m delighted to be joining the team this year as Assistant for Year 3 Online. I love walking alongside others as they encounter God through the Spiritual Exercises, and I’m continually struck by how prayer opens up space for freedom and healing. Outside of ISC, you’ll usually find me cooking something new or hiking in the mountains near home.

Stephanie Painter: Assistant (online)

I completed the ISC course back in 2014 and currently see 9 directees regularly. In 2017 I also trained as a supervisor and currently supervise two people. I am also a companion of the Cenacle. I recently completed the Manresa course, the Ignatian Fifth Week course and the Ignatian Enrichment Course. It has been a year for learning for me and enriching my experience of Ignatian Spirituality! Now I am really pleased to be able to help others with their Ignatian study and am looking forward to being part of the ISC team. I am a very outgoing person and love walking and playing games!