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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How I Work
1.
Chemistry First
We start with a discovery call — just a conversation to see if we're a good fit.
2.
Tailored, Never Off-the-Shelf
Every engagement is built around your goals, challenges and context.
3.
Indoor, Online, or Outdoors
Coaching isn't therapy; it's about performance. We focus on clarity, decisions and sustainable results.
4.
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.
5.
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
"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.”
"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.”
"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.”
"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.”
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
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
Military Service
- Half-day (3–4 hours) or full-day
- Walking-based reflection — Clifton Downs and Ashton Court locally, or the Mendips and Brecon Beacons
- Ideal for major transitions, strategic thinking and breaking patterns
- No outdoor experience needed — we walk and talk at a comfortable pace
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
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.