About Dave Tait
From Commanding to Coaching
35 years leading in high-stakes environments — now helping the leaders who face them
Why I Do This
When I retired from the Royal Air Force as an Air Commodore, most people assumed I'd move straight into a corporate executive role. Instead, I went to the mountains.
Away from meetings and demands, something became clear: I wanted to help leaders think better, not just execute faster. The best leaders I'd worked with — in the military, on expeditions, in crises — weren't the ones with the loudest voices. They were the ones who could pause, reflect, and make better decisions under pressure.
That's what I do now. I bring together 35 years of operational leadership, accredited executive coaching, and a lifetime in the mountains to help leaders navigate complexity, build resilience and lead with clarity.
Why Leaders Choose to Work With Me
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Military Command Authority
35 years in the Royal Air Force. Retired as Air Commodore (equivalent to Brigadier General). Station Commander leading 2,000 personnel. Head of Training, Education, Skills, Recruiting & Resettlement for all 150,000 UK Armed Forces personnel. Operational deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. Awarded the MBE.
What this means for you: I've made decisions with real consequences, led through uncertainty and delivered when the stakes were high.
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Accredited Executive Coaching
Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching, Henley Business School. EMCC Senior Practitioner — one of the highest coaching standards in Europe. MA in Defence Studies, King's College London. Trained in leadership psychology and decision-making frameworks.
What this means for you: I'm not a retired officer offering opinions — I'm a professionally trained, accredited coach working to evidence-based methods and a formal code of ethics.
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Expedition Leadership
Former Chair and President of the RAF Mountaineering Association. Led the British Services Expedition to Makalu, the world's fifth-highest mountain. Qualified Mountain Leader and Rock Climbing Instructor. Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition assessor.
What this means for you: I've led teams where decisions matter and there's no room for theory — and I can take you outdoors when reflection needs a change of environment.
A Rare Intersection of Command, Coaching, and the Outdoors
If you're carrying decisions that matter and want a thinking partner who has led when the stakes were real, let's start with a conversation.
Bristol-based · working with leaders across the UK.
How I Work
My approach is client-centred, non-directive and grounded in partnership. I don't tell you what to do — I help you think more clearly about what you're facing, then decide well.
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Chemistry First
We start with a discovery call — just a conversation to see if we're a good fit.
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Tailored, Never Off-the-Shelf
Every engagement is built around your goals, challenges and context.
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Indoor, Online, or Outdoors
Coaching isn't therapy; it's about performance. We focus on clarity, decisions and sustainable results.
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Challenging with Care
Clients describe me as grounded and thoughtful, able to hold difficult conversations with care. I'll ask the hard questions, always in service of your growth.
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Action-Oriented
Sessions happen in a coaching room, on Zoom, or on a mountain — whatever serves you best.
The Leaders I Coach
I work with senior leaders and leadership teams across the UK who are:
Navigating rapid growth or transition
Making high-stakes decisions with incomplete information
Building or rebuilding leadership teams
Performing under pressure while trying to stay sustainable
Leading through complexity, uncertainty or change
What unites them: they're building something that matters, they're under real pressure, and they need a thinking partner who understands what leadership actually requires.
Leadership Under Pressure
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Helping Leaders and Teams Scale New Heights
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Leadership Under Pressure • Helping Leaders and Teams Scale New Heights •
What Leaders Say
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"An absolutely incredible experience"
“I took part in the leadership retreat run by Dave and wow — what an absolutely incredible experience. I cannot thank Dave enough for the tools and lessons I’ve taken away. I went in sceptical — what would a military leader know about running a small business? How wrong I was. I learnt so much and have implemented the tools from day one. I can immediately see the benefits in my business and would recommend the retreat and Dave’s coaching to anyone in a position of leadership or management. Truly worth every penny.”
Lottie, Business Owner
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![Five-star reviews Dave Tait Executive Coaching]()
"Impactful coaching that accelerates growth"
Dave provided executive coaching during a critical transition into a new leadership role. His approach combined practical strategies with thoughtful insights, which helped me quickly gain clarity on priorities and build confidence in decision-making. I would strongly recommend Dave to anyone looking for impactful coaching that accelerates growth and effectiveness.
Phil G, Director, Charitable Trust
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![Five-star reviews Dave Tait Leadership Programmes]()
"Authenticity and credibility you can feel"
Highly practical and very well structured. What stood out most was the atmosphere of trust he creates in a very short time — it allows for honest reflection and meaningful exchange within the group. His background in the RAF and his experience leading mountain expeditions bring authenticity and credibility you can really feel.
Sarah I-F, Business Founder
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![Five-star reviews Dave Tait Team Leadership Coaching]()
"Coaching outdoors made a world of difference"
Coaching outdoors made a world of difference. Dave helped me look holistically at my life to uncover what I truly value most — the insights I needed to see exactly where to put my energy.
Harry N, Technical Engineer & Programme Lead, Aerospace Sector
Beyond Coaching
Alongside my coaching practice, I serve as Trustee and Non-Executive Director of the Mountain Heritage Trust, preserving UK mountaineering history and supporting the climbing community. I work as a Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition assessor, helping young people build resilience and leadership through outdoor challenge. And I write about leadership, decision-making and outdoor reflection on my blog.
A Few Things About Me
I'm based in Bristol and work with clients across the country — online, in person or outdoors. When I'm not coaching, I'm usually climbing, hill walking or with my family.
I believe the best leadership development happens when you step outside routine, which is why I bring outdoor experiences into my work — new thinking happens when we change our environment.
If you're facing a leadership challenge and want someone who understands what it's like to lead when the stakes are real, let's talk.
Professional Credentials
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Coaching & Academic
Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching, Henley Business School
EMCC Senior Practitioner Accreditation
Member, European Mentoring & Coaching Council
MA in Defence Studies, King's College London
Level 8 CMI Diploma in Strategic Leadership
Postgraduate Certificate in Company Direction, Institute of Directors
Everything DiSC Certified Facilitator
CIPD Member
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Military Service
Air Commodore, Royal Air Force (Retired)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
35 years' active service
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Mountaineering
Qualified Mountain Leader (Summer & Winter)
Rock Climbing Instructor
Former Chair & President, RAF Mountaineering Association
Expedition Leader, British Services Makalu Expedition
Duke of Edinburgh's Award Expedition Assessor
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Governance & Advisory
Non-Executive Director, New College Swindon (from 1 August 2026)
Trustee & Non-Executive Director, Mountain Heritage Trust
Accredited & Affiliated
Frequently Asked Questions
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Senior leaders and leadership teams in mid-sized UK organisations navigating growth, transition or complexity.
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No. Bristol-based, I cover the M4 corridor, London, the South West, Birmingham, Cardiff and Exeter, with national reach for residential retreats. Sessions can be online, in person, or outdoors.
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Client-centred, non-directive and action-oriented. I don't tell you what to do — I help you think more clearly about what you're facing, then make better decisions. Clients describe me as grounded, thoughtful and able to hold challenging conversations with care.
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Yes. I integrate outdoor experiences — mountaineering, climbing, hill walking — when reflection or breakthrough thinking calls for a change of environment. It's optional, not required.
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A Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching from Henley Business School and EMCC Senior Practitioner accreditation, alongside 35 years of military leadership as an RAF Air Commodore.
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Book a discovery call. We'll discuss your challenges and explore whether coaching is the right fit.
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Investment is discussed on your discovery call.
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Yes — EMCC Senior Practitioner, one of the highest professional coaching standards in Europe.
Ready to Work Together
If you're a leader navigating complexity, pressure or change — and you want a thinking partner who understands what leadership actually requires — let's talk. Book a discovery call to discuss your challenges and explore how coaching can help.
Bristol-based · working with leaders across the UK.