ABOUT WILLOW & PUDDIFOOT
Leadership is a craft.
We bring research-informed expertise, practical learning and a deeply human approach to helping managers and leaders get better at what they do.
Leadership is learned through practice
We believe leadership is something people learn, practise and refine over time. Useful development gives people the confidence and capability to handle real situations differently, not simply more knowledge about leadership.
That belief shapes everything we do: practical learning, repeated application, honest reflection and support that helps new behaviour become part of everyday work.
Explore our approach →
Why Willow & Puddifoot exists
Louise Puddifoot founded Willow & Puddifoot after a career spent leading people and developing managers and leaders inside organisations.
She had seen the difference that good leadership development could make. She had also seen what happened when it was too theoretical, disconnected from everyday work or treated as a one-off training exercise.
Willow & Puddifoot was created to do it properly: combining sound research, thoughtful design and practical learning that helps people lead more effectively in the situations they face every day.
We believe leadership is a craft. It develops through learning, practice, feedback and experience, and continues to evolve throughout a leader’s career.
Expertise that stays practical
We combine expertise in leadership and management development, learning design, coaching, profiling and 360 feedback. We have designed and delivered programmes for organisations in the UK and internationally, working across different sectors, locations and leadership levels.
Our work is research-informed and thoughtfully designed, with enough challenge to create movement and enough practical support to help people use it.
The people behind the work
Louise
Founder
Louise brings experience of leading people and a career spent developing managers and leaders inside organisations. She leads Willow & Puddifoot’s approach, works with clients to understand what they need and shapes development that remains practical and relevant to everyday leadership.
Candice
Senior Learning and Development Consultant
Candice leads much of our programme design and delivery. She works directly with clients and participants to understand what people need and create practical learning that translates into action.
A small core team
A small internal team supports our client work, programme design and delivery. This keeps relationships close and decisions straightforward.
A flexible team around each client
Alongside our core team, we work with experienced facilitators, coaches and learning specialists. We bring together the people needed for each piece of work, based on the subject, location, delivery format and client need.
Clients know who will be working with their people. We share relevant profiles as part of the proposal and planning process.
What working with us feels like
Warm and straightforward
We build open, trusting relationships and make the process clear.
Generous with our thinking
We share our experience, ideas and honest advice, including when a simpler answer will do.
Thoughtful and challenging
We listen carefully, ask useful questions and challenge assumptions where it will improve the work.
Expert and practical
We bring depth without becoming academic, and keep the learning connected to real roles and situations.
Focused on growth that matters
We concentrate on the changes that will help people, teams and the organisation perform more effectively.
Recognised for our work
Willow & Puddifoot has received Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards: Gold for Best Leadership Development Program and Silver for Best Development Program for Frontline Leaders.
Gold
Best Leadership Development Program
Silver
Best Development Program for Frontline Leaders
Oxfordshire roots, international reach
Willow & Puddifoot is based in Oxfordshire and works with organisations in the UK and internationally. Programmes can be delivered in person, online or through a blend of both, including for groups working across countries and time zones.
Tell us what you are working through
Talk to us about your organisation, the managers or leaders you want to develop and what you would like to change.
Talk to us