About Us
We are coaches who specialise in working with intelligent, impact-driven people who care deeply—sometimes too deeply.
The leaders we work with are talented, committed, and genuinely want to make a difference. They're also often wrestling with self-doubt, overwhelm, and the exhausting pressure of trying to do everything right.
Sound familiar?
For over 15 years, we've been creating space for people like you to breathe, think, and lead more authentically. We don't offer quick fixes or surface-level skills training. Instead, we work with you to build the deep foundations you need: clarity about what matters most, confidence in your capabilities and voice, and the courage to make bold choices aligned with your values.
Our Approach
We take a solution-focused, compassionate approach to coaching. This means we:
Focus on your strengths rather than analysing weaknesses
Build on what's already working and help you do more of it
Create space for reflection without judgment
Support you to find your own answers rather than prescribing solutions
Recognise that sustainable leadership requires resilience rooted in self-compassion, not relentless self-criticism
We're highly qualified EMCC-certified practitioners, but more importantly, we're people who understand what it's like to lead with care in a world that doesn't always make space for that.
Where We Work
We support leaders across sectors, with particular depth of experience in:
Higher education and research (universities, research institutes, doctoral training partnerships)
Healthcare and public sector (NHS, government agencies, charitable organizations)
Social impact organisations (mission-driven businesses, community initiatives)
We've worked with individuals and teams from over 25 leading institutions including the University of Oxford, University College London, King's College London, Cardiff University, NHS, Ellison Institute of Technology and many others.
Two Approaches, One Philosophy
Bud Development offers 1-2-1 and group coaching for leaders across all sectors who want to lead with authenticity and impact.
Your Research Matters is our specialised community coaching programme for researchers—from doctoral students to established academics—who want to overcome overwhelm, build confidence, and make a difference with their work.
Both share the same foundation: compassionate, solution-focused coaching that helps you lead without losing yourself.
Our Story
Our clients consistently tell us that our coaching gave them permission to be themselves, helped them see what they couldn't see alone, and enabled them to take bold steps they'd been putting off for years.
Bud Development was founded in 2008 by Kate Tapper, who saw talented professionals struggling not with capability, but confidence and capacity. Despite their intellect and expertise, so many were held back by self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and the secret fear of not being "enough."Over the years, we've grown into a team of specialist coaches, but our mission remains the same: to help leaders who care find their voice, develop their strategy, build resilience, and make the impact they're here to make.
We've now supported thousands of changemakers to lead more authentically and effectively. Our clients consistently tell us that our coaching gave them permission to be themselves, helped them see what they couldn't see alone, and enabled them to take bold steps they'd been putting off for years.