about kate
I live on a farm in Wiltshire, UK with my husband, three teenagers, three dogs and two Shetland ponies. I’m a Northerner and hail from Bolton originally although I’ve been living in Wiltshire now for over 20 years. I studied Psychology at the University of Manchester which is where I discovered how much I loved understanding people and having worked for a number of years as a teacher managing little people, I switched to coaching and managing big people and haven’t looked back.
I thrive in green spaces, in particular the English countryside and I love to find a quiet spot to read in the garden. I love travelling with my family and as the children get older, we look forward to our time together each year!
ABOUT KATE OATLEY
I’ve always had a fascination with people. My degree in Psychology is testament to this! But more than that, I love understanding someone and then being in a position to help and support them. Although I’ve had a few different careers, people has always stayed centre-stage. From little people in the classroom to big people in the boardroom, I thrive on interacting with others to really understand them.
My whole career has been a melting pot of experiences that have led me to this point. I’ve always had a strong sense of needing to do what feels right at the time and so I’ve never felt tied to a particular career. When I burnt out quite spectacularly aged 25 after being in a corporate world that just didn’t align with my values (although I didn’t have the vocabulary or understanding of this at the time), I knew it was time to rediscover who I was and what brought me joy. Since then, I made a commitment to myself to never be dragged down by a job I just didn’t subscribe to fully.
Fast forward 20+ years and it feels serendipitous but also obvious that I should be able to combine all of my skills and experiences to work as a coach. My approach values every client as a whole person, whatever their background or experience and my values are woven into my practice. These values of kindness and warmth, curiosity and professionalism as well as fun ensure I deliver a non-judgemental and psychologically safe space for clients to explore and navigate their challenges knowing that I will hold space for purposeful, wholesome and action-focussed outcomes.
As a coach, I am a member of the Association for Coaching and I adhere to the Global Code of Ethics for coaches. Additionally, I receive regular peer supervision as well as group supervision via the European Mentoring and Coaching Council - EMCC. My commitment to CPD through these organisations ensures I am abreast of changes and updates within the coaching industry.
