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

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

  • (60)
  • (5)
Marcus Collins

Dr. Marcus Collins is an award-winning marketer, cultural translator, and best-selling author who has spent his career translating culture for brands and translating brands for culture. He currently serves as Clinical Assistant Professor of Marketing at Ross School of Business, University of Michigan and as a regular contributor to Forbes, where he writes about subjects ranging from […]

  • Travels from: Ann Arbor, MI
  • Culture Speakers
  • (72)
DJ Bella Fiasco

DJ Bella Fiasco’s musical style is simply formed upon her audience, wherever she may be or whomever she may be playing for. With a talent for spinning captivating tracks and a killer sense of style, DJ Bella Fiasco is a force. From the age of 17, when surprised with turntables, a gift from her father, […]

  • Travels from: Las Vegas, NV
  • Mobile DJ
  • (8)
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
  • (8)
Amy Van Dyken

Amy Van Dyken-Rouen’s journey from Olympic glory to overcoming personal adversity stands as a testament to resilience and determination. As a six-time Olympic gold medalist, she made history at the 1996 Atlanta Games by becoming the first American woman to secure four gold medals in a single Olympiad. Beyond her athletic achievements, Amy’s life took […]

  • Travels from: Phoenix, AZ
  • Motivational Speakers
  • (11)
  • (3)
Shaun Tomson

Shaun Tomson is a native of South Africa and he spent fourteen years on the Professional Tour, winning surfing competitions all over the world whilst developing international apparel brands. He is a business finance graduate from the University of Natal in South Africa and is the founder of Instinct and Solitude Sportswear, multi-million dollar international apparel […]

  • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
  • Motivational Speakers
  • (17)
  • (4)
Tom Kolditz

Tom Kolditz is a distinguished leadership expert and keynote speaker renowned for his unparalleled insights into crisis leadership, resilience, and leading under pressure. With decades of experience in both military and academic spheres, Tom brings a unique, evidence-based perspective to the art and science of leadership. His dynamic presentations inspire individuals and organizations to thrive […]

  • Travels from:
  • Crisis Management
  • (54)
  • (3)
Zack Kass

Zack Kass is a globally recognized futurist, keynote speaker, consultant, and educator, dedicated to helping organizations and individuals navigate the dynamic intersection of technology, innovation, and human potential. With a career that spans leadership roles in artificial intelligence and a passion for empowering others through education, Zack is a trusted voice in the conversation about […]

  • Travels from: Santa Barbara, CA
  • Futurists Speakers
  • (17)
Joe Theismann

Joe Theismann, legendary NFL quarterback, Super Bowl champion, and award-winning broadcaster, is a renowned keynote speaker specializing in sports leadership, motivation, and peak performance. With a career spanning professional sports, media, and business, Joe brings an unparalleled perspective on teamwork, resilience, and achieving success under pressure. Known for his dynamic and engaging speaking style, Joe […]

  • Travels from: Germantown, TN
  • Leadership 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