Kirsty Murphy MBE

Kirsty Murphy MBE is one of the most inspiring figures in British aviation, best known as the first and only female pilot to serve with the famed Red Arrows. A former Royal Air Force fast jet pilot, aviation leader and transformational change expert, Kirsty has built a reputation for performing at the highest level in some of the world’s most demanding environments. Today, she is an Aviation Senior Consultant at Connected Places Catapult and a highly sought-after online speaker, sharing powerful lessons on resilience, leadership, teamwork and performance under pressure. Her remarkable journey from overcoming personal adversity to breaking barriers in military aviation makes her a compelling and highly relatable voice for virtual audiences.

Born into a military family, Kirsty’s ambition to join the RAF was shaped by witnessing extraordinary resilience first-hand after her father was captured and tortured during the Gulf War. Determined to pursue a flying career, she refused to be discouraged by early setbacks, including being rejected from the RAF because she attended the “wrong” school and because her arms fell just short of the required length. Through persistence and determination, she overcame these barriers, earned an MEng in Aeronautical Engineering from Imperial College London and secured her place as an RAF pilot. During her 17-year military career, she became a Tornado GR4 pilot, later taking responsibility for RAF Fast Jet Training and Capability Management. Her achievements culminated in her selection for the Red Arrows, before progressing to become Executive Officer of the world-renowned display team.

Following her RAF career, Kirsty continued flying as a Blades Aerobatic Display Pilot with 2Excel Aviation and was personally selected by the Secretary of State for Transport to serve as an Aviation Ambassador for the Department for Transport. She also played a leading role in the transformation of the UK Space Agency, serving as Project Delivery Manager, Head of Secretariat and Chief of Staff while overseeing a complex organisational change programme. In recognition of her significant contribution to aviation, she was appointed MBE in Queen Elizabeth II’s Birthday Honours.

As an online speaker, Kirsty combines exceptional credibility with a highly engaging and energetic presentation style that translates seamlessly to virtual audiences. Drawing on experiences from high-pressure military operations, elite aviation teams and major transformation projects, she delivers practical insights into leadership, resilience, risk management and decision-making when the stakes are highest. Her openness about overcoming anxiety, burnout, personal setbacks and the emotional impact of witnessing fatal aviation incidents adds depth and authenticity to her presentations. Kirsty’s ability to connect complex lessons from aviation to everyday professional challenges ensures audiences leave inspired, motivated and equipped with practical strategies to perform at their best. Her story of perseverance, courage and trailblazing success makes her an outstanding choice for organisations seeking a memorable and impactful online speaker.