We are here for the changemakers. You have bold ideas that can change our world. We help you find your voice, plan your strategy, grow resilience and lead the way.
The profound challenges of our time call on us to step forward. Even when it is uncomfortable. We need confident humility to contribute our voice and hear others. We need to think big and start small.
We make space for you to breathe and feel and think. We stand with you to overcome doubt and overwhelm and, step by step, to make a difference.
Find your voice
“I do not write because I want to say something. I write because I have something to say.”
Mark Twain
What is it that you want to say?
What do we need to hear? Yes there are people who know more than you. Lots. But your own voice is unique and the world needs to hear it. Your intellectual humility is a huge asset, but don’t let it become a liability. Overcome self-doubt and contribute your expertise.
Plan your strategy
“The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do.”
Michael Porter
What are you choosing to focus on?
When everything is a priority, nothing is a priority. The list of important things becomes overwhelming. Balls drop, projects stagnate. Energy wanes.
Our unique community coaching programme supports whole cohorts of researchers to overcome overwhelm, self-doubt and isolation. Will you be our seventh cohort? Booking now for 2025.
Grow resilient together
“Resilience is based on compassion for ourselves as well as compassion for others.”
Sharon Salzberg
How will you keep going?
Resilience is not endurance. Your ability to keep going depends on adaptation not trudging ever onward. Building resilience is not a solo pursuit, it’s a collective effort. Develop the deep foundations you’ll need to overcome set-backs, take risks and get your ideas out into the world.
Talk to us about one-to-one, group or peer coaching that builds resilience from a compassionate basis.
Lead the change
“Rarely are opportunities presented to you in a perfect way. In a nice little box with a yellow bow on top. 'Here, open it, it's perfect. You'll love it.' Opportunities – the good ones – are messy, confusing and hard to recognise. They're risky. They challenge you.”
Susan Wojcicki
Here’s a secret. Most leaders don’t feel ready to lead. Confidence only comes with experience. You’ll need courage to get that experience. But you don’t need to go it alone. Wherever you are on your leadership journey we are right here with you.
About us
We are space-makers. We create special spaces where individuals and groups can move beyond uncertainty to fulfil the potential of their work in the world. We offer one-to-one and team coaching and group programmes.
We’ve been working with some of the world’s best thinkers for over 15 years, including:
Meet the Team
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Kate Tapper
FOUNDER
ICF ACC coach and facilitator
Kate emboldens clients to do more that they think they can. For many years she has helped highly talented people overcome self-doubt, develop compassionate resilience and build more capacity by working and caring together. Kate has directed numerous regional and national programmes for universities and coaches leaders and teams across different sectors.
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Kemi Oladapo
PARTNER
ILM level 7 coach and facilitator
Kemi is an empathic and intuitive coach with extensive experience leading at a senior level in healthcare. Kemi has merged and led teams through turbulent changes and coached diverse people to fulfil their potential, including at the NHS, Advance HE and Sirona Healthcare. Kemi is sought-after for the energy that she brings to team facilitation and her wisdom as a coach.
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Gary Reed
PARTNER
EMCC Global Senior Coaching Practitioner
Gary is the creator of the ‘leadership tree’, a model developed from his own experience as an introverted leader and his work with reluctant leaders across higher education and healthcare. Gary specialises in helping clients to lead effectively without losing their integrity and identity and he works with clients online and hiking in the Welsh mountains.
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Abi Boughton-Thomas
PARTNER
EMCC Global Senior Coaching Practitioner
Abi is a coach and therapist who specialises in solution-focused coaching. She is reliably calm, kind and focused on your skills and strengths whilst willing to share her insights and tools. Abi is neurodiversity and trauma sensitive and will never ask you to park your emotions at the door, whilst ensuring focus on your coaching goals. Abi thinks, writes and coaches outside, in the Malvern Hills and beyond.
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Dr David Langley
PARTNER
Strategy consultant and thinking partner
David is a strategy consultant helping organisations lead where the past is no guide to the future. He has the rare twin gifts of deep empathy and sharp insight. As a thinking partner he brings strategic perspective from his broad and deep experience as a senior leader, including within Imperial College London, and Welsh Government.
Join us to think differently
“Doubt has killed more dreams than failure ever will.”
Suzy Kassem
Don’t let doubt hold you back…
Join hundreds of readers who have important work to bring into the world. We’ll email you tips, insights and news to inspire you to keep going.
Get in touch
For information about how we could work together, please email kate@buddevelopment.co.uk
