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Empowering you with coaching wisdom shaped by my own journey

Decades of leadership experience has equipped me to guide CEOs, founders, and leaders to become the best version of themselves so they can bring out the best in others.

MY STORY

A career built on helping other leaders thrive

Where I started

My journey began back in the ‘90s when I joined a boutique marketing agency straight out of university. I was made a manager within 6 months of joining and a director within 4 years. I worked on multiple accounts, including Virgin and Vodafone.

Age 29

At 29, I became Managing Director of the agency and took responsibility for strategy, finance & HR, alongside the CEO founder. As well as overseeing client services for the whole agency, I project-managed private equity investment, a sale to a larger agency, and a management buyout.

2007

In 2007, I launched my own business working alongside a number of CEO founders as an advisor, consultant, non-executive and executive director, and coach. My focus was on business improvement, process efficiency, people management, and nurturing talent.

2023

I created the character "Linda the Bad Manager" to humorously depict poor leadership practices. Through this comedic persona, I point out common mistakes in management, encouraging self-reflection and raising awareness among my viewers. I have over 200k followers and my videos have been viewed over 100m times.

2024

I wrote my first book “How to Lead” in which I provide practical, no-nonsense advice for leaders who want to improve their management skills. It’s like having a pocket leadership coach, packed with real-world tips that can help you navigate leadership challenges.

The cover of Kate's new book "How to Lead"

Now

With over 30 years of business and leadership development under my belt, I’ve had the privilege of helping hundreds of leaders overcome their challenges, offering a unique blend of empathy, expertise, and a touch of humour in my coaching.

MY STORY

A career built on helping other leaders thrive

Where I started

Age 29

2024

2023

2007

Now

LEARNING THROUGH HUMOUR

Meet “Linda” the bad manager

"Linda" is my toxic manager character on TikTok, who shows us all just how bad leaders can be!

I use “Linda” to illustrate common leadership pitfalls through humour and relatable scenarios with the aim to get viewers to reflect on their own management styles.

You can see what “Linda” has been up to on TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

"Linda" is my toxic manager character on TikTok, who shows us all just how bad leaders can be!

I use “Linda” to illustrate common leadership pitfalls through humour and relatable scenarios with the aim to get viewers to reflect on their own management styles.

You can see what “Linda” has been up to on TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

"Linda" is my toxic manager character on TikTok, who shows us all just how bad leaders can be!

I use “Linda” to illustrate common leadership pitfalls through humour and relatable scenarios with the aim to get viewers to reflect on their own management styles.

You can see what “Linda” has been up to on TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

WHY LEADERS CHOOSE ME

The difference my experience makes

Qualifying as a coach allowed me to lean into my passion for supporting talented leaders. They trust me because I've walked in their shoes, and it all resonates in my coaching.

200+

Clients

helped by my personalised approach to coaching – engaging, uplifting, and transformational.

30+

Years

working alongside multiple CEO founders and being a director of several organisations, and now the author of "How to Lead".

Associate Certified Coach

The International Coaching Federation is the largest worldwide resource for professional coaches.

15+

Media Appearances

including events, podcasts, and webinars, sharing insights on leadership, productivity, and growth.

TESTIMONIALS

A lovely bunch of thank yous

5.0

Reviews on Google and LinkedIn

Kate guided me through the most difficult period of my entire career

I’ve been a business owner & leader for the past 12 years. I worked with Kate on a One to One basis for approx 6mths. Ka...

Zoe Wyles

Business Owner

Outstanding leadership training and life coaching

I've been working with Kate for the past six months, and I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for outstanding...

Ellie Glason

Founder & Director

The experience has been transformative

I've had the pleasure of working with Kate as my leadership coach for the past six months, and the experience has been t...

Denna Antoniou

Senior Project Manager

Kate gave me the confidence to "LET GO" more

I'd been thinking of stepping away from working behind the chair after 40yrs of hairdressing, but didn't really know how...

Jeff O'Neil

Founder

Refreshing approach, technique, and style

I’ve had the privilege of working with Kate for last couple of years at The Network Collective, initially as a peer, but...

Craig Northveth

CEO

Positive, thought-provoking, and incredibly valuable

I find the discipline of carving out time for coaching to be hugely beneficial. It's an incredibly efficient use of time...

John Waterhouse

Founder & Chairman

I never thought I needed a business coach

I never thought I needed a business coach. I mean, with the daily juggle of running a business and managing Mum life, if...

Kelly Goodship

Managing Director

I received a mine of information and extra resources

The coaching sessions I had with Kate had a transformative effect, not only on my deliverables but also on my career. As...

Marie-Sophie Ferriere

Sales & Marketing Manager

Kate’s coaching has changed me as a leader

Your coaching has changed me as a leader, for which I will always be grateful. Can’t wait to continue the journey.

Jerina Hardy

Head of Communications

She won’t let you off the hook if you need to be challenged

Whilst her TikTok alter ego Linda shames you, Kate validates and hears you. Don’t be fooled though, she won’t let you of...

Maria Hvorostovsky

Headhunter & Podcaster

Best experience I've had thus far with coaching

Kate provided the best experience I've had thus far with coaching. She was always very focused on the outcomes I wanted...

Emem Attah

Management Accountant

Safe and confidential space to discuss challenges

The initial programme of coaching sessions with Kate helped me to bridge the gap between where I was & where I wanted to...

Clare Tyndall

Head of Department

Her perspectives on work life queries are second to none

Kate brings a level of freshness to leadership coaching that is much needed in this ever changing working environment. H...

Ali Hussain

Consultant

I feel more confident and less stressed

Coaching really helped me get to the core of a number of topics and come up with ideas to change some long-standing beha...

Jess Wyatt

Account Director

Refreshing and very different to other management training

Kate is very intuitive and very quickly identified and understood the issues I was facing, using coaching methods to hel...

Maya Frost

Director of Marketing

It was a powerful learning and development experience

I've had the privilege of 1-2-1 coaching sessions with Kate and it has been a powerful learning and development experien...

James Dann

Operations Director

Extremely personable, and highly experienced

I have been attending Kate’s coaching sessions for the past year and have found them “on point” every time! Kate is extr...

Emma Hillier

Senior Consultant

Thought provoking, non judgemental, powerful

If you are ever considering getting some coaching around specific areas of your life, I really cannot recommend Kate eno...

Anna Houldsworth

Head of Department

Our sessions were extremely productive and insightful

Working was Kate was absolutely wonderful! Our sessions together were extremely productive and insightful, I learned inv...

Elizabeth Marlow

Executive Producer

I’ve become a more organised and effective leader

I’m writing to recommend Kate for her fantastic leadership coaching. Over just three sessions, I’ve seen a big change in...

Martin Hammond

General Manager

Her understanding is unparalleled

Kate's coaching approach, coupled with her wealth of experience, truly sets her apart. Her ability to understand the int...

Kat McHale

Head of Gamification

I absolutely loved our sessions and would really recommend

Working with Kate helped me in identifying my values and my long-term career objectives while offering practical tools t...

Giulia Artizzu

Senior HR Manager

WHAT THEY SAY

My coaching approach

I've always found it excruciating to write about myself. It just doesn't feel like a comfortable thing to do. So I asked a coach who I admire greatly to help me and this is what she said about me (I'm blushing as I copy and paste this but she insists I must!):

Kate is not just a leadership coach, but a trusted ally in the journey of executive growth and advancement. Drawing on her personal insights from years spent in senior management, she guides executives, nurtures talent, and enables each client to carve out their own solutions to the most taxing leadership challenges.

Her approach is multi-faceted, covering leadership impact, self-leadership skills, team development, and career advancement. Kate's coaching is designed to ignite confidence, clarity, motivation, and a re-energised sense of purpose, enabling her clients to push boundaries in their professional lives and instigate meaningful and sustained change.

Kate's uplifting coaching style is an equal mix of empathy and results-focus, offering full support as well as constructive challenge, all done in a partnership spirit and delivered with professionalism that’s sprinkled with levity. Kate creates a reassuring, safe harbour for her clients to investigate their goals, tackle obstacles, and unleash their true potential.

Clients who choose to have a series of sessions enjoy the benefit of having a level of accountability and the momentum to keep moving forwards. Clients will be equipped with the essential tools to navigate intricate scenarios, make informed decisions, and reach leadership milestones with assured confidence and fulfilment.

Well, I can't top that. I'm off for a lie down.

IN THE MEDIA

Media, events, podcasts and webinars

Truth, Lies and Work Podcast

I join Leanne and Al Elliott as they explore the nuances of workplace culture and generational differences in today's work environment.

BBC Radio Surrey, Sussex and Kent

I talk to Adam Dowling at BBC Radio Surrey, Sussex and Kent about how Linda the Manager came about, and my new book "How to Lead".

Accidental Managers

I join Roly Walter to talk about what makes an "accidental manager", and how organisations can support them in becoming effective managers.

Corporate Wellbeing Expo Interview

What's the link between good leadership and employee wellbeing (and engagement)?

The Anatomy of a Leader (Podcast/YouTube Guest)

I talk to Maria Hvorostovsky about toxic bosses, the inspiration for my TikTok character, Linda, and how to be a good leader.

ITV Interview with Jonathan Wills

I talk to Jonathan Wills about the success of my TikTok character, Linda, the bad manager.

Women in the Coaching Arena Podcast

I talk to Joanna Lott about building a coaching business , from discovering your own unique skills, to engaging your audience.

On the edge with April Mahoney (Podcast Guest)

I talk to April on her On The Edge podcast, about the ebbs & flows of employer/employee dynamics.

Tech World Human Skills (Podcast Guest)

I talk to Ben Pearce on his podcast about leadership and how to grow to become a great leader.

Unleash the Power of People Podcast

I talk to Chris Webber about how to have those difficult conversations to build trust from difficult relationships.

McCann World group "The Truth About Work"

McCann Worldgroup shared insights on the future of work and employer branding.

The Jobs for Women Show (Podcast Guest)

I talk to Zoe Haydn Jones about how knowing your values helps you define your boundaries and stop people pleasing.

Why Employees Leave (Webinar Guest)

I talk to Luke Fisher about how to create more engaged teams in this webinar (which also features Linda, the toxic boss).

The Pursuit of Purpose (Podcast Guest)

I talk to Pete Al Alkawi about how I help good people to become great leaders - understanding their values and purpose.

How to Stop "Doing" and Start Leading

I discuss with Jay Neale from Agency Works how to juggle the challenging demands of leading in an agency environment.

How to Create & Track Habits (Contributor)

Habit tracker apps might just be the key to transforming your routines (and life!) once and for all.

The Leadership Enigma Podcast

I explore the challenges faced by individual contributors and small consultancies (with Adam Pacifico in this podcast.

The Parent Equation Podcast (Podcast Guest)

I share my working parent journey with Ayesha Murray and talk about my views on everything.

A GIFT FOR YOU

Free Leadership Habits Checklist

Learn and implement the 5 daily habits of the world’s most successful leaders.

Find out more