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

  • (49)
DJ Stormy Monroe

DJ Stormy Monroe is a powerhouse on the turntables, known for her unmatched ability to captivate and energize any crowd. From commanding the SiriusXM stage at Essence Fest to being a mainstay in Atlanta’s underground EDM rave scene, Stormy’s versatility and electrifying performances make her one of the most dynamic mobile DJs in the business. […]

  • Travels from: Atlanta, GA
  • Mobile DJ
  • (38)
  • (1)
Salim Ismail | The Salim Ismail Podcast

Salim Ismail is a visionary strategist and a renowned technology entrepreneur who has profoundly impacted the global business landscape. As the founding executive director of Singularity University and the author of the best-selling book Exponential Organizations, Salim has become a leading authority on disruptive innovation and exponential technologies. His ability to foresee and articulate the […]

  • Travels from: Miami, FL
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • (27)
  • (1)
Eric McElvenny1-2

Eric McElvenny is more than just a speaker; he’s a living testament to resilience, determination, and the power of the human spirit. As a former Marine who served his country with valor, Eric’s journey took an unexpected turn when he was wounded in Afghanistan, resulting in the amputation of his right leg below the knee. […]

  • Travels from: Pittsburgh, PA
  • Motivational Speakers
  • (18)
  • (3)
Keith Ferrazzi Los Angeles, Keith Ferrazzi cover1-8

In the realm of organizational transformation, few names resonate with as much authority and insight as Keith Ferrazzi. With a profound understanding of human behavior and a relentless drive to effect positive change, Keith has become a leading figure in guiding global organizations toward sustainable success. As the founder of the Greenlight Institute and chairman […]

  • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
  • Sales Speakers
  • (15)
Wendee Lee Curtis Emcee

Wendee Lee Curtis is a seasoned Broadway performer turned motivational keynote speaker, emcee, and moderator. With over a decade of experience captivating audiences, Curtis has brought her powerful stage presence, magnetic charisma, and expertise in corporate communications to Fortune 500 companies worldwide. A favorite among industry giants such as Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Roche, and CrowdStrike, […]

  • Travels from: Chicago, IL
  • Communication Speakers
  • (27)
David Salyers

David Salyers is a visionary leader, author, and marketing expert who played a pivotal role in shaping one of the most beloved brands in America: Chick-fil-A. As one of the original two marketing executives at Chick-fil-A, David spent an impressive 37 years in the company’s marketing department, most recently serving as Vice President. Throughout his […]

  • Travels from: Atlanta, GA
  • Culture Speakers
  • (15)
Heath Slawner

Heath Slawner is a distinguished keynote speaker renowned for his extraordinary ability to connect with audiences and their ideas. With a natural charisma and passion for his craft, Heath has become a beacon of inspiration for individuals and organizations around the globe. His expertise spans various industries, including finance, life sciences, consumer goods, real estate, […]

  • Travels from: Montreal, Quebec
  • Motivational Speakers
  • (25)
Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo

Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo is the authority on how to crush your inner critic so that you can live a life of purpose, fulfillment and True Success™. She’s America’s most trusted celebrity psychologist with over 100 national media interviews including The Today Show, Good Morning America, Dr. Oz, Fox Business News, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and […]

  • Travels from: Chicago, IL
  • Motivational Speakers
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

Speakers Inc Logo 2024
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.