Motivational Speaking

Experience from the front line

Motivational Speaking

Pioneering female pilot turned motivational speaker and business navigation consultant, Mandy Hickson has developed an enviable skill set in the Royal Air Force that she now translates into valuable workplace tools as a speaker.


From failure to history-defining, Mandy's flying career was hugely influential, and her frontline experiences means her understanding of risk management, leadership and human factors is second to none. Combining these qualities with fast-paced stories from the skies, Mandy delivers a truly remarkable talk as a keynote speaker.

As only the second female to fly a Tornado GR4 on the front line, Mandy pioneered the movement of women into the RAF. Much of her remarkable career was spent as the only female aircrew, throughout 45 missions over Iraq and three duty tours, evidencing her mental resilience, bravery and powerful attitude.


Since leaving the RAF Mandy has trained as a Human Factors facilitator with the Civil Aviation Authority, and now uses her in depth knowledge of aviation, calculated risk taking, decision making under pressure and the critical role of the human in the system to transfer these lessons to businesses and individuals alike.


She demonstrates the importance of remaining calm under pressure and leading, quite literally from the front, to get the best from herself and her team.


Download Summary

For Business

Challenging times require an exceptional corporate response. So how do you motivate and inspire your staff to demonstrate outstanding leadership and teamwork under pressure; to stride confidently towards purposeful goals and maintain focus despite great risks?


These critical success factors are clearly demonstrated by Mandy Hickson’s unique experiences of flying in a Front Line Tornado Squadron within hostile environments. Mandy is supporting an increasing number of organisations as a keynote or motivational speaker.


Tailored to be relevant to your organisation, Mandy’s main themes are;


  • The building and empowerment of effective teams
  • Inspired goal setting and ultimate focus
  • Decision making under extreme pressure
  • Maintaining momentum despite losing top talent
  • Nurturing a culture of self-confidence and aspiration.

For Schools

We recognise the daily challenges that face Head Teachers and their staff. All too frequently this has an impact upon the time available to do the very things that are undoubtedly close to your heart –nurturing your pupil’s hopes and aspirations and inspiring them to the realisation of their dreams and ambitions.


As a School Governor and mother of two young boys I recognise the daily challenges that face Head Teachers and their staff.


All too frequently this has an impact upon the time available to do the very things that are undoubtedly close to your heart –nurturing your pupil’s hopes and aspirations and inspiring them to the realisation of their dreams and ambitions.


Mandy offers a number of different services to suit the needs of schools and would be delighted to discuss these with you in more detail.

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.

To find out more about Mandy speaking at your next event please contact us.

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