Hi, I'm Kate.

I have an unhealthy enthusiasm for talking about people, leadership and what makes organisations work. I'm the founder of BeanStalk Learning, and I've spent my career helping people become better leaders, managers and colleagues. I believe leadership sounds simple until you actually have to do it - especially under pressure, during difficult conversations or when you don't want to hear the answer. That's the bit I'm interested in.


Workshops and models have their place, but leadership improves through:


  • Practice
  • Reflection
  • Challenge
  • Trying something different


My work is practical, human and rooted in the reality of managing people. Because people are complicated.


How did I get here?

I've worked across learning, leadership and organisational development with large organisations, smaller businesses, senior leaders, new managers and teams navigating change. I've designed leadership programmes, coached leaders, worked with teams and developed learning strategies for organisations including the Probation Service, Wolseley, Hansgrohe UK, Roxor Group, Protan, and Coventry University. But the organisations aren't the interesting bit...The people are.


  • The new manager who isn't sure how to handle a difficult situation.
  • The leader who needs to let go and trust others.
  • The team avoiding the conversations that matter.


Those are the moments that make me love what I do.


Why BeanStalk?

Because people development should be useful, not just something to tick off a learning plan, but something that helps people think: "I'm going to do that differently." I don't believe in learning for the sake of learning. Development should connect to what you're trying to achieve and the reality of work. So I'll ask questions, understand what's happening and help work out what might actually help.

What I believe about leadership


  • I believe good leaders don't have to have all the answers.
  • I believe self-awareness is one of the most underrated leadership skills there is.
  • I believe avoiding a difficult conversation rarely makes the conversation easier.
  • I believe accountability isn't something you impose on people, it's something you create the conditions for.
  • I believe leaders are responsible for the environment they create, while individuals are responsible for how they choose to show up within it.
  • I believe people don't experience our intentions, they experience our behaviour.
  • I believe leadership development should help people bridge the gap between the leader they think they are and the experience other people actually have of them.
And outside BeanStalk?

I'm a mum, a cat lover, a business owner and lifelong learner. I'm happiest learning something new, having a great conversation, making people laugh or helping someone see things differently. You don't need to have everything figured out to be a good leader. You just need to be willing to look at yourself honestly and keep learning.


So, what do you need help with?
  • Maybe you've got managers who need to grow into their roles.
  • Maybe your leaders need to become more confident, self-aware or accountable.
  • Maybe there are conversations happening everywhere except where they need to happen.
  • Maybe your team isn't working as well as it could.
  • Or maybe you know something needs to change, but you're not quite sure what.


You don't need to have the answer before you get in touch.