Mandy Hickson
Mandy Hickson was the only female pilot on her Front Line Tornado Squadron, flying multi-million 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 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.
A highly sought after speaker, we are delighted that Mandy will close the RPHA 2015 Conference with such an inspirational story.
