I met Kath during lockdown through a mutual colleague. She was recommended to me as someone who could help me reconfigure the business and help me with the IT transition I would need to make. She was amazing. As part of this process she helped me connect to a whole new business support process, she introduced me to some key people who have since helped me deliver some tra…
Business support and advice
Well, what a refreshingly thought-provoking breakfast meeting - solely due to Katharine Bourke's presentation about 5 things she's learned from 20 years in business (in Devon). Her speech was peppered with amusing anecdotes, interesting insights and reminders of things that we could all be doing better, like communicating cleanly. Katharine's presentation was pitched perf…
Working In Devon
It has been a pleasure to work with Kath for a number of years now. I have always found her to be dedicated to the identified training, with an ability to provide and implement an understanding of topic and make the sessions enjoyable. She is skilled at assessing the room and tailoring her approach to generate the best outcomes for the personalities involved. I have always found Kath to be very app…
Vickery Holman
A pleasure to know. Her experience, emotional intelligence, breadth of view, ability to communicate with a range of clients and connect with them alongside her public speaking ability and all round kindness make her a formidable business operator.
Connectivity
Kath provided a couple of superb sessions that were all at once engaging, informative and challenging. Her delivery was professional and thought provoking, and really drove the team to consider how it operated and interacted both internally and externally. As a result of the sessions the team were more outward thinking and customer service levels demonstrably improved. I wo…
Service Excellence and Communications
I found Kath invaluable in helping me focus on career priorities- she was always encouraging but also challenging in a practical and sensitive manner that enabled me to move forward in a constructive way.
Executive Coaching
People will always be the reason great businesses succeed, but there has to be underlying strategy and understanding of detailed business acumen to complement the soft skills business owners have. There is no one better equipped than Katharine to marry the two together. Knowledge, IP and a great human who has fantastic coaching skills to provide the platform you need to succeed
Strategic Planning
Kath's influence extends beyond technical mentorship; she's fostered my growth in resilience and character, shaping me into a more well-rounded professional. I am truly fortunate to have Kath as a mentor and confidently recommend her to anyone seeking a mentor who profoundly impacts both professional skills and personal development.
Mentoring

Katharine Bourke

People & Business Development

Born on a Dartmoor farm, I've always been a passionate supporter of and advocate for businesses in the South West. My career began recruiting accountants for the City, before being headhunted into a consultancy to build project teams in London and across Europe. I worked in Cambodia, then Oxford before returning to Devon in 1999. Working with my husband, we built an IT business from a good idea to a business employing 10 staff before returning to consulting in 2011. I enjoyed four years as a Growth Manager for the government's GrowthAccelerator and Business Growth Service in Devon and Cornwall and co-founded SWGS in 2016. I love living and working in the South West, and remain an advocate for talent in the region. A Zen leadership practitioner, I am certified to deliver the Focus Energy Balance Indicator (FEBI or feebee) which is a powerful psychometric tool to aid individuals and teams.

01884 220150

katharine@southwestgrowthservice.co.uk

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katharinebourke

Specialist

Core areas of expertise

Executive coaching and mentoring
Communication skills training
Facilitating change management
Engaging and motivating groups
Business development and pitch training
Boosting problem solving and creativity
mBIT certified coaching
Zen leadership & FEBI assessments