Mandy Hickson

Second Woman in RAF History to Fly a Tornado GR4 Who Led an All-Male Squadron

  •         Only the second woman to ever fly a Tornado GR4 for the RAF
  •         Led an all-male Squadron
  •         Conducted three tours of Iraq and over 40 missions
  •         Esteemed public speaker who works for Inspiring Women for Work

Discover Mandy Hickson’s biography of published work below.

An Officer, Not a Gentleman by Many Hickson
An Officer, Not a Gentleman: The inspirational journey of a pioneering female fighter pilot

When Mandy Hickson is booked for webinars and virtual events, they are known to discuss the following speaking topics:

Military
Leadership
Teamwork & Teambuilding

Mandy is a highly regarded virtual keynote speaker whose experience in high stakes environments gives audiences practical tools they can use immediately. Her ability to translate complex operational lessons into clear strategies has made her a favourite choice for online events, leadership programmes and global conferences. She brings a warm, direct style that works well on screen, whether delivering a live virtual keynote or hosting an interactive session with teams spread across different time zones. Her story resonates because it is real, hard earned and grounded in moments where decisions carried life changing consequences.

Mandy began her RAF journey at seventeen after securing a flying scholarship, setting her sights on a future few women had ever achieved. Despite failing early aptitude tests, she pushed forward with determination and was ultimately selected as a test case, proving her capability and opening doors for others. She went on to become the second female pilot to fly the Tornado GR4 on the front line, completing 45 combat missions over Iraq and serving as Combat Survival and Rescue Officer, where she led cross continent planning during intense military operations. Much of her career was spent as the only woman in the squadron, demanding resilience, focus and an unshakeable commitment to her crew. Alongside operational flying, she dedicated time to mentoring future aviators through her role as a Volunteer Reserve Officer with the Air Cadets, sharing her knowledge with young people taking their first steps in aviation.

After leaving full time service, Mandy expanded her influence by moving into human factors training and leadership consulting. She has worked with executive teams, high performing organisations and global brands, helping them understand risk, communication and decision making through a pilot’s lens. Her work grew further when she became a Faculty Lecturer on the LBC2 Programme, guiding emerging leaders on performance under pressure and personal development. Mandy has also taken on ambitious personal challenges, including a trek to Everest Base Camp, reflecting the same spirit that carried her through her RAF career. Her bestselling book ‘An Officer, Not a Gentleman’ charts her journey through a male dominated profession and has inspired readers across sectors.

Today, Mandy is recognised as a powerful virtual keynote speaker who brings honesty, insight and clarity to every audience. She speaks on leadership, confidence under pressure, building trust, high performance and the value of diverse thinking. Her virtual sessions are lively and engaging, strengthened by real stories from the cockpit and relatable lessons for the workplace. Organisations book Mandy because she delivers impact, helping teams feel braver, more connected and better equipped to handle uncertainty. Her work continues to empower people at every level, reinforcing the belief that with the right mindset, difficult challenges can become defining achievements.

We sat down with Mandy and discussed her new book, working with an all-male squadron and what it’s like to fly a fighter jet on the front line. Read our interview with Mandy or watch our exclusive Q&A with Mandy Hickson, conducted by our Senior Content Executive, Megan Lupton.

 

Official Testimonials

Mandy Hickson is regularly booked to engage audiences at virtual events, read their latest feedback below:

“Mandy is a fantastic public speaker. She is both inspirational and extremely well prepared. Her ability to relate her own experience working under extreme pressure and in high performing teams to everyday situations is most impressive. She tops it all with a wonderful sense of humour and great modesty. Listening to her talking about the many challenges that she has successfully overcome should be compulsory for all girls!”

Miriam Gonzalez, Partner Dechert LLP, International Law Firm

“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.”

Peter Kenny, Managing Director, Old Mutual International

“Mandy, great to meet you. Your session was particularly well received. I am delighted I was able to stay to hear you talk. Your story is very inspirational and I recognised many of the challenges you have faced as a woman in a predominantly male world as these issues are industry agnostic. I am sure we could spend hours sharing our war stories (literal and metaphorical!). I do all I can to help the next generation navigate these challenges and not experience the same difficulties as those who have gone before. You are clearly doing the same.”

Sue Fox, CEO M&S Bank

To enquire about Mandy Hickson for your next virtual event or webinar, simply contact The Online Speakers Agency via agent@virtualonlinespeakersagency.com or call a booking agent on 0203 9317 391.