Kate Walmsley MCIPD - Executive Coach, Strategic People Advisor and someone who has lived through her own ‘alignment wake-up call’
I’ve spent more than 25 years in HR roles, working with founders, executives and fast-growing international businesses across financial services, tech, and numerous other sectors. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been voraciously curious about human behaviour. I am so passionate about understanding what makes people tick, why they behave in certain ways and discovering what their beliefs are to help them see what is supporting them and what is holding them back. This completely fascinates me!
The turning point
In 2016, life came to an abrupt stop when I developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome and lost the use of my limbs within 3 days. My immune system had gone into overdrive and was ‘eating’ my nervous system from my limbs inwards. By the time I was admitted to hospital I had lost all use of my arms, legs, my swallow function, was in an incredible amount of intense pain and the condition was starting to reach my lungs making breathing painful.
It was very frightening, but, with hindsight, surprisingly transformative!
The miracle of this situation for me was the gift of time. When you’re paralysed in both your arms and legs there really isn’t much else you can do but think.
During those months of recovery, I realised that the part of my HR career I loved most wasn’t processes or policies, it was people. The deeper conversations where colleagues confided in me and we would talk things through, generally by me asking lots of questions and listening intently, to help them decide for themselves what they wanted to do. These interactions really lit me up and feel like I was able to give something beneficial to others.
That realisation led me to train as a coach.
The years in between
Life, of course, isn’t linear. I had my second son, attempted to grow a business with a newborn (would not recommend), and eventually returned to HR, bringing my coaching training, self-awareness and resilience into every senior leadership role I held.
Those roles took me through restructures, scaling organisations, culture change, leadership development, M&A due diligence, and helping teams navigate uncertainty.
They also reaffirmed something important for me:
When people feel able to think clearly and feel steady in their roles, they communicate better, collaborate better and perform better.
Theta Waves
In 2025, I brought all of this together. The coaching, the HR strategy, the neuroscience curiosity, the lived experience, and created Theta Waves.
I help professionals think clearly, make aligned decisions and lead with confidence.
And for businesses, I support the people side of growth: culture, talent, strategic people alignment and leadership.
A few things to know about me
I’m endlessly curious about human behaviour and the mind–body connection.
I’m equal parts practical HR strategist and intuitive coach.
I’m not a fan of jargon. Clear, straightforward conversations make everything easier.
My clients describe me as calm, insightful and gently challenging.
I believe that when you get to know yourself on a deeper level, everything else becomes easier.
How I work
My coaching style is grounded, calm and deeply attuned. I notice what shifts in your tone, energy or posture. I ask the questions you didn’t realise needed asking. And I hold a space where you can make sense of what’s happening internally, without judgement or pressure.
This isn’t about fixing you. It’s about creating the conditions for you to gain clarity, make stronger decisions and lead in a way that feels authentic and effective.
Why I do this work
Because I’ve lived the cost of misalignment. Whether that was doing roles that didn't fit me, pushing myself in ways that contradicted my values, operating on autopilot and living a life that was draining me. Now I recognise the signs early, I choose not to repeat those patterns and want to helps others do similar.
Because I’ve sat with people at their most human: uncertain, ambitious, stuck, hopeful, overwhelmed, brilliant - all these can easily be happening at once! No wonder life can be confusing.
And because I believe people deserve to understand how their mind influences their wellbeing, and to use that awareness to make choices that genuinely support the life they want.
Professional Credentials
I hold a Master’s degree in Human Resources (CIPD Level 7) and am a member of the CIPD (MCIPD).
I’m also a certified Life Coach (Distinction) and an Accredited Executive Coach through the AoEC Practitioner Diploma.
