Kate Smith


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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
Coachees have described working with me as transformational, thoughtful and compassionate. I work with people who feel stuck or are grappling with a transition in their lives. I have expertise in the transitions working mothers make on departing for and returning from maternity leave, as well as those facing complex change whether through choice or because of external forces such as redundancy. I have a background in leading change with a diverse workforce and am passionate about supporting individuals who are neurodiverse.
My goal is to help my clients identify and understand what brings them to coaching, the changes they want to make, and what motivates and drives them to create lasting progress.
I've guided many people, at all stages of their career, from early career to those experiencing a career or life transition, as well as senior executives and leaders. I can quickly grasp the core of your challenges and have a talent for simplifying complexities, bringing clarity to situations that often feel overwhelming.
All coaching sessions are person-centred working with the individual to identify their needs and create a safe space for coachees to explore, understand and create the change they want to see. The conversations start with a chemistry call which is free for us to meet and discuss the process and areas that you want to focus on. This is a chance to ask any questions about the process, my background or other aspects of coaching, and to see if we feel comfortable working together.
Typically coachees have between 6-8 sessions and will often cover the following:
- Contracting - to create a shared understanding of how to work together with clear boundaries
- Context exploration – deep dove into your priorities and situation so I can understand what you are looking to focus on. We may set some goals too.
- Exploration through coaching techniques and exercises. Coaching is a dialogue-based approach, sometimes I use tools to help you explore alternative perspectives and actions you may want to take towards your goals.
People who experience working with me have shared that they feel more positive, confident and empowered, they are more self-aware and have a better understanding of what motivates them helping them to achieve their goals.
I have worked with clients across Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific using MS Teams of Zoom. I am equally happy to work in-person or virtually.
Training, qualifications & experience
My coaching style is grounded in positive psychology with a person-centred approach and pragmatist philosophy. I am action-oriented so I encourage a strong sense of self-efficacy and understanding of motivation.
- BA Music, Dartington College of Arts (1999)
- Post-graduate Diploma, Marketing, Chartered Institute of Marketing (2003)
- Professional Diploma in Management (2008)
- MBA, Open University (2010)
- Masters in Coaching and Mentoring, Oxford Brookes University (2019)
- Post-graduate Diploma (Level 7 CIPD), Human Resource Management, Oxford Brookes University (2021)
- Coaching Supervision course, Oxford Brookes University (2022)
- Transformative Leadership, Seton Hall University (2022)
- Post-graduate Certificate, Psychology, University of Liverpool (2004)
- Understanding Autism, Level 2, West Nottinghamshire College (2023)
- Equity and Diversity, Level 2, Isle of Wight College (2023)
- Professional Memberships and Accreditations
- Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD)
- Fellow Member of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
- Accredited Coaching Practitioner, European Mentoring and Coaching Council
- PROSCI Change Practitioner
Member organisations

EMCC UK is part of the Europe-wide European Mentoring & Coaching Council.
Together their aim is to promote good practice and the expectation of good practice in mentoring and coaching across Europe.
EMCC is an independent, impartial and non-profit making organisation.
Areas of coaching I deal with
Other areas of coaching I deal with
Transitional coaching
Return from maternity leave coaching
Fees
£60.00 - £100.00
Free initial telephone or online session
Additional information
An initial chemistry call is free, there is no obligation to continue.
The most popular option is a set fee for a programme of between 6-8 hours, but I also offer a competitive hourly rate.
When I work
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In a post-covid world working and life patterns have shifted. Our ability to flex is important. I work around my clients and their time zones, so coaching sessions can be arranged to suit.
Further information
About my journey as a coach
I worked in a global publishing company for over 20 years as part of the senior leadership team, reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer. With a career spanning marketing, HR and organisational change, I was responsible for leading transformation change and people-centred development programs across the 600-strong marketing organisation; my team and I worked with leaders across the company to enable people to be successful. I had the opportunity to train as a coach which was central to initiatives focusing on creating a mentoring culture and team cohesion. Leaving in 2023, I set up my own company focused on transformational change through team cohesion programs, leadership development and coaching.
I am a life-long learner with a passion for understanding how to enable people to navigate change effectively. This has taken me into the fields of Business, HR, Change, Mental Health, Coaching and Psychology. Coaching has always been a central tenet of my leadership philosophy which has guided my career and continues to be an important element of my work with people whether individuals or teams.