Mandy Hickson was the only female pilot on her Front Line Tornado Squadron, flying multimillion pound fast jets for the Royal Air Force. She has operated in hostile environments, including patrolling the 'No Fly' zone over Iraq. Carrying the latest weaponry she and her unit were ready to drop ordnance on any target in support of operations.
Her route to the top was tumultuous in every sense - awarded a RAF flying scholarship at 17, long before she even passed her driving test, she went on to win aerobatic competitions whilst still a student. However, despite her prowess in the skies, she failed the computer based tests, taken by all potential RAF pilots. Undeterred, her self-belief and dogged determination persuaded the RAF to take her on as a test case, thereby overcoming seemingly insurmountable hurdles.
Mandy relates her experiences of working within an elite team of fast jet operators to audiences with great clarity, outlining how the same values apply within any environment. She demonstrates only too well the importance of remaining calm under pressure and leading, quite literally, from the front, in order to get the best from herself and her team.
As a trained Human Factors facilitator with the Civil Aviation Authority, Mandy 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 from the cockpit to the corporate boardroom.
Mandy has recently founded Inspiring Women for Work, tailor made events designed to help women to realise their full potential and regain confidence to return to work.
If you would like Mandy to speak at your event call us on 07748783028
Overcoming Adversity
Teamwork
Leadership
Empowerment
Risk
Threat and Error Management
Decision Making Under Pressure
'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 highly 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 FirmI first heard Mandy at a networking event and was fascinated by the effortless way she put her story across. As a motivational speaker she has to be right up there; there are not many people, let alone women, who can talk so eloquently about a career as a fast jet pilot without intimidating the hell out of everyone. This is why I sought her out to take part in a debate on the lack of women in technology and she didn't disappoint. She is a true inspiration to men and women alike on how to make it in an alien environment, against the odds and with little encouragement.
If you need motivation, enthusiasm and inspiration, get in touch with Mandy. I guarantee you won't be disappointed either.
David Cradduck, Graphic Designer and Business DevelopmentMandy is an exceptional speaker with a fascinating "back story" from her days as an RAF fighter pilot. With her warm personality, she has the ability to captivate, inspire and motivate an audience and I cannot recommend her too highly.
Mike Warner, Principal at Warner & CompanyMandy was absolute brilliant, I would highly recommend Mandy for any event. We hung on every word and still wanted more after two & half hours. I personally came out on a massive high.
Sarah Pasco, Sales & Marketing Director at Taylor WimpeyI have worked with Mandy on a number of occasions and can thoroughly recommend her as an excellent speaker and presenter. All the clients that we have put Mandy in front of have rated her highly in terms of meeting their expectations, often commenting on her enthusiasm and professionalism. On a personal note it is wonderful working with a speaker who has such a great sense of humour and a 'can do' attitude - such a pleasure.
Alice Bufton, Consultant at Harvey ThorneycroftMandy spoke recently at an all Wales HFMA event, taking the last slot at a full day's conference. Not an ideal time to talk. The motivational presentation was excellent, absorbing, amusing and refreshing. It was measured to suit delegates and Mandy had done her homework on the audience.
Chris Tidwell, Head of CIPFA WalesMandy embodies the true meaning of a motivational speaker. She is genuine in her desire to inspire others through her own experience and comes across as a warm down to earth person with a great sense of humour and plenty of get-up-and-go.
Rachel Maunder, Athena NetworkMandy was invited to speak at our INSPIRE conference and over-delivered on our requirements; to INSPIRE and motivate our delegates. Mandy did so very much more, with little direction from us she had researched our organisation, crafted her presentation and delivery to the audience and captured everyone's attention immediately.
With energy and passion, and a great deal of humour, Mandy took our members into her world where she demonstrated through her stories and anecdotes that anything is possible just so long as you commit and focus.
When we host a conference and invite speakers to attend we are extremely conscious that the success of the event is dependent on their 'performance'. If your success is dependent on your speaker then Mandy is the woman for you! Turbo charged and motivational, she is exactly what she promises to be and more.'
Jacqueline Rogers, Founder of The Athena NetworkMandy Hickson has the natural ability to engage an audience immediately with humour, ease and draw them into her fascinating story by her very presence. Mandy’s ability to tailor her story and messages to any audience makes her an ideal choice to inspire an audience.
In the many years of organising conferences, I have rarely seen such positive feedback for a speaker.
Colin MacIntosh, Reading Primary Headteachers Association
A dynamic and versatile speaker, Josh is able to draw upon his experience and expertise to give inf…