Mandy Hickson
Former RAF Pilot, Entrepreneur, and Expert on Human Behaviour
Mandy Hickson, a former RAF fast-jet pilot, is a motivational speaker known for her insights on leadership, teamwork, and decision-making under pressure. She inspires audiences with her dynamic storytelling.
A former Royal Air Force pilot, Mandy Hickson has profound insight into how to make decisions under pressure, know when to take risks, and the importance of sentient human intelligence in advanced systems. Her keynotes are both personal and professional, allowing her to operate as a particularly effective speaker.
The only female pilot on her Front Line Tornado Squadron, Mandy has operated in extremely hostile environments, including the notorious “No Fly” zone during the Iraq War. Her route to the skies was challenging; she received a RAF flying scholarship at 17, winning acrobatics competitions as a student. However, she failed her mandatory computer based tests, but with reference to her excellent skillset and dogged persistence, she convinced the RAF to accept her as a test case.
Mandy has overcome great hurdles in her career, leading her to co-found Inspiring Women for Work, an organisation that helps women rebuild their confidence when returning to work following a career break. In her keynotes, she draws upon her experiences working in a team of elite fighter-jet pilots; above all else, the importance of maintaining presence and serenity under pressure.
A trained Human Factors facilitator, Many is also an expert on human interactions. She deeply understands the great detail the role human beings play in complex systems. She applies this expertise, combined with her personal experience calculating risk and making important decisions under pressure, to business, demonstrating a strong understanding of humans and organisations alike.
To book Former RAF Pilot, Entrepreneur, and Expert on Human Behaviour Mandy Hickson for your event, contact Front Row Speakers on +353 1 485 3991 or email welcome@frontrowspeakers.com.
- Leadership Under Pressure: Learn from Mandy’s experiences as an RAF pilot, focusing on making critical decisions under pressure, leading diverse teams, and maintaining composure in high-stress situations.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Discover the importance of effective teamwork and communication in achieving mission success, with practical lessons applicable to any organization.
- Resilience and Mental Toughness: Gain insights into building resilience and mental toughness, drawing from Mandy’s training and experiences in challenging environments.
- Breaking Barriers: Be inspired by Mandy’s journey as one of the first female pilots in a male-dominated field, overcoming obstacles and breaking barriers.
- Achieving Peak Performance: Understand the strategies for achieving and sustaining peak performance, both individually and as part of a team.
MC and Event Hosting:
- Pendulum Summit: Mandy has successfully MC’d the Pendulum Summit for the past two years, demonstrating her exceptional ability to engage and connect with large audiences, ensure smooth event flow, and add a professional touch to proceedings.
- Corporate Events: Mandy’s professional demeanor and charismatic presence make her an ideal choice to host corporate events, ensuring they are well-organized, engaging, and memorable.
- Conferences and Seminars: With her experience in high-pressure environments, Mandy is adept at managing and moderating conferences and seminars, providing insightful commentary and facilitating meaningful discussions.
“Mandy’s passion, energy, and enthusiasm were truly inspirational. She linked her RAF experiences with our values, leaving a powerful impression.”
-Head of Communication, University Hospital Bristol
“Mandy was absolutely brilliant. We hung on every word and still wanted more after two and a half hours. I came out on a massive high.”
-Sarah Pasco, Sales & Marketing Director, Taylor Wimpey
“Much like the fighter jets you flew, the noise (feedback) about your presentation can still be heard. The feedback has been fantastic with many saying ‘Mandy was the most inspirational speaker I have ever heard’. You are extraordinarily talented, hugely determined and beautifully funny with a great ability to connect with people – for such a high flier you are very grounded! Thank you for sharing, it was a great pleasure.”
-Managing Director, Old Mutual International
Please note this form is intended for Corporate Speaking and Commercial enquiries only. Due to the volume of emails we receive on a daily basis, we regret that we are unable to respond to specific requests from charities, schools, clubs or individuals.