Mandy Hickson is a role model for young women wanting to join the Airforce. At the age of 17, she was awarded an RAF scholarship, giving her the opportunity to fly planes well before she started driving on land. Despite her extraordinary skill, she failed the computer-based test carried out by all future RAF pilots - a major setback for the budding pilot. Faced with a great hurdle, Mandy endured a challenging personal test. With her persuasive, determined nature, she convinced the RAF to take her on as a test case, ultimately saving her career in the skies.
Due to her unapologetic self-belief, Mandy became the only female pilot on her Frontline Tornado Squadron, flying multi-million-pound jets for the Royal Air Force. Over the course of her flying career, Mandy survived hostile environments, including operating in a 'No Fly' zone. As a testament to her dedication to piloting, Mandy became the second woman to pilot a Tornado GR4, completed three tours of duty and carried out 45 missions over Iraq.
Mandy is passionate about encouraging the future generation. When she retired from the Airforce, Mandy dedicated her time to serving as a school governor and being an ambassador of sport for Hampshire County Council. With her years of experience in the cockpit, Mandy is a Volunteer Reservist with the RAF, where she flies budding pilots on the Air Experience Flight. As a trained Human Factors Facilitator with the Civil Aviation Authority, Mandy uses her aviation expertise, strategic risk-taking and ability to stay calm whilst under immense pressure to transfer the lessons she has learned from the cockpit to the corporate boardroom.
On top of this, Mandy created Inspiring Women for Work, which organised tailor-made events to help women realise what they are capable of and regain the self-confidence essential to go back to work. Mandy is a captivating female motivational speaker, engaging with her audience through highly interesting personal stories of how persevering through failure leads to success. Speaking candidly about her life story, from being a working mother to dodging enemy fire, Mandy is dedicated to building the confidence of those around her.
Her stories will have your heart racing, as she describes the sensation of soaring through tornadoes it feels like you are there with her, in the cockpit. With an enthusiastic presenting style, Mandy eagerly shares her story of overcoming setbacks and handling pressure no matter the circumstance. Audiences lucky enough to witness Mandy speak won’t just be privileged to her witty anecdotes, but can learn from her first-hand life advice too. Personal strategies, a positive approach and prioritising are all points that Mandy shares, as she offers tips and tricks to embrace your best self.