Mandy Hickson: Former RAF Pilot

Mandy Hickson is a former Royal Air Force pilot and Human Factors facilitator. She was the only female pilot on her Front Line Tornado Squadron, flying multi million pound fast jets.  Mandy has been the keynote speaker at hundreds of events and is an inspiration to women across the UK. Mandy has also operated in […]

Travel & Fee Range:**

  • Travels from: Winchester, Hampshire
  • **Fee range: On Request
5/5
5/5 (3 reviews)

Keynote Topics

For Women’s Groups
Hickson is focused on providing women with support and inspiration in the form of Mandy’s remarkable story. It is a story which started with dreaming about being a fast jet pilot at the age of 13 and culminated in her leading an entirely male dominated Front Line Tornado Squadron on operations.

Without a doubt most women face some really tough challenges in their working lives:

  • Maintaining that essential work/life balance in a demanding environment
  • Overcoming innate risk avoidance tendencies
  • A wavering of confidence and self-belief
  • Amazingly, still having to break through the glass ceiling
     

Hickson is focused on providing women with support and inspiration in the form of Mandy’s remarkable story. It is a story which started with dreaming about being a fast jet pilot at the age of 13 and culminated in her leading an entirely male dominated Front Line Tornado Squadron on operations.

Of course, this was not a straightforward journey; it contained apparently insurmountable setbacks and immense pressures in a hugely demanding environment.

Mandy shares the strategies and approach she used to get there – and delivers them with high energy and humour that will engage.

Mandy Hickson is a former Royal Air Force pilot and Human Factors facilitator. She was the only female pilot on her Front Line Tornado Squadron, flying multi million pound fast jets.  Mandy has been the keynote speaker at hundreds of events and is an inspiration to women across the UK. Mandy has also operated in […]

Mandy Hickson is a former Royal Air Force pilot and Human Factors facilitator. She was the only female pilot on her Front Line Tornado Squadron, flying multi million pound fast jets.  Mandy has been the keynote speaker at hundreds of events and is an inspiration to women across the UK.

Mandy has also operated in hostile environments, including patrolling the ‘No Fly’ zone over Iraq. Carrying the latest weaponry, along with her unit, she was ready to drop ordnance on any target in support of operations.

After a turbulent route to the top, Mandy was awarded a RAF flying scholarship at the age of 17, long before she even passed her driving test. However, despite her achievements, she failed the computer based tests required by the RAF. Undeterred, driven by determination and passion, Mandy persuaded the RAF to take her on as a test case, thereby overcoming seemingly undefeatable hurdles.

In her speeches, Mandy Hickson relays her experiences of working with an elite team of fast jet operators with command and clarity, outlining the many ways in which the same values can be applied within any environment. Notably, she demonstrates the importance of remaining calm under pressure and leading from the front, to get the best from herself and her team.

A trained Human Resources Facilitator, Mandy is an expert on interactions among humans. This affords her a detailed understanding of the role of human beings in complex systems. As a result, she applies this expertise, as well as personal experiences of calculating risk and making decisions under pressure, to businesses. Recently, Mandy Hickson founded Inspiring Women for Work, which involves tailor made events designed to help women realise their full potential and regain confidence to return to work.

Mandy Hickson is a highly demanded keynote speaker across a range of business sectors, where she talks with humour and great passion to inspire those around her. She has been invited to share her insights with some of the most successful organisations across the world where she describes the strategies & behaviours that can adopted when the stakes are at their highest.

She has a wealth of experience to share from working in a male dominated environment, from battling imposter syndrome to juggling life as a working mother of two young children.

As a coach, mentor and facilitator Mandy Hickson inspires others, covering the core areas of human performance factors; decision making, communication, leadership, behaviour, workload, conflict, fatigue and stress management.

Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Twitter

Mandy Hickson | Former RAF Pilot

Videos

Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry

Speaker Contact Form

Enquiry Form

Talent resources available for download

In order to view the below you must be logged in.

  • Powerpoint Slide – For meeting and event planners
  • Gallery Images
  • High Resolution Images
  • PDF Files
  • Books and Magazine Links
  • Music List
  • Podcast Shows
  • Courses
  • + more

View further speakers

  • (24)
Kirsty Spraggon

Kirsty Spraggon is more than just a speaker; she’s a beacon of inspiration and empowerment. With two decades of experience spanning every dimension of the sales industry, Kirsty has solidified her position as a powerhouse within her field. Her exceptional journey led her to the upper echelons of success, ranking her among the top 1% […]

  • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • (28)
Patricia Arquette

Actress, writer, and activist Patricia Arquette has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment industry and the realm of social advocacy. With a distinguished career spanning decades, Arquette has garnered critical acclaim and numerous accolades for her compelling portrayals on screen. From her Oscar-winning performance in “Boyhood” to her Emmy-winning role in “Medium,” she […]

  • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
  • Empowerment Speakers
  • (31)
Dr. Michio Kaku

Dr. Michio Kaku is one of the most widely recognized and respected figures in science today. A world-renowned theoretical physicist, futurist, and bestselling author, Dr. Kaku has dedicated his life to making the mysteries of the universe accessible and inspiring to people across the globe. He is internationally recognized as an authority on Einstein’s unified […]

  • Travels from: New York, NY
  • Futurists Speakers
  • (49)
James Lawrence

James Lawrence, widely recognized as the Iron Cowboy, stands as a testament to human endurance and the power of determination. Renowned for his astonishing feat of completing 50 Ironman-distance triathlons in 50 consecutive days across 50 states, James Lawrence transcends the boundaries of physical achievement. His journey from a humble beginning in Calgary, Alberta, to […]

  • Travels from: Lindon, UT
  • Adventure Speakers
  • (96)
Inky Johnson

For Inky Johnson, though, the game changed everything. A routine tackle turned into a life-threatening injury, and nothing has been normal for Inky ever since. Not with a paralyzed right arm. Not with daily pain. Not with constant physical challenges. September 9, 2006. It started as a normal college football game in Neyland Stadium. If […]

  • Travels from: Atlanta, GA
  • Motivational Speakers
  • (55)
DJ CLA-2

DJ CLA is a dynamic and versatile mobile DJ, lighting up Las Vegas with her electrifying performances and exceptional ability to set the perfect tone for any event. With a reputation for blending high-energy beats and smooth transitions, her name has quickly become a sought-after entertainer for weddings, corporate events, private parties, and everything in […]

  • Travels from: Las Vegas, NV
  • Mobile DJ
  • (31)

Farrah Khan has spent two decades raising awareness about the intersections of gender-based violence and equity through education, policy, and advocacy. She is a member of the Government of Canada’s Advisory Council on the Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, former co-chair of the Ontario Government Provincial Roundtable on Violence Against Women, board member […]

  • Travels from: Toronto, ON
  • Leadership Speakers
  • (16)
DJ Ricky Rocks

DJ Ricky Rocks stands as an explosive force in the entertainment industry, captivating audiences globally with his raw power, distinctive sound, and unmatched sense of groove. Renowned for his magnetic stage presence and innovative artistry, Ricky Rocks has redefined the boundaries of live entertainment, blending DJing mastery with a showmanship that leaves audiences electrified. From […]

  • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
  • Mobile DJ
Disclaimer
The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel