Helen Seymour is a trailblazing former RAF fighter pilot and a compelling motivational speaker who knows exactly what it means to perform under pressure. Over a 23-year career, Helen made history as the world’s first female Eurofighter Typhoon pilot, flying one of the most advanced combat aircrafts in the world. But her path to the cockpit was far from conventional. Originally training for a career in medicine, she failed the RAF pilot aptitude test the first time around. Rather than walk away, Helen reapplied, passed the test on her second attempt, and chose to follow her dream - leaving medical school behind to pursue a life in aviation.
Helen began her flying career on the Tornado F3 before transferring to the Typhoon, eventually becoming Mission Commander in several multinational exercises and taking part in critical operations, including the UK’s air defence missions, NATO duties in the Baltics, and combat support during the liberation of Libya. Her final post in the RAF saw her serve as Lead Evaluator Pilot on the Typhoon Test Squadron, where she was responsible for testing and introducing new equipment and systems - including weapon drops, missile firing, and defensive aid systems - into live service. She also held the role of A2 Qualified Flying Instructor and Course Mentor on the Typhoon Operational Conversion Unit, helping to shape the next generation of combat pilots.
Now retired from military service, Helen is a Training Consultant and Combat Air Subject Matter Expert with a leading defence contractor. She’s also the Co-Founder of On A Mission, a keynote speaking platform she shares with former RAF colleague Rosie Steevenson. Together, they deliver impactful talks on topics such as resilience, fear of failure, inclusive leadership, and peak performance - drawing on their rare experience as one of the RAF’s few all-female flight crews. Their talk, Performing Under Pressure, has already made a strong impression on clients including Funding Xchange and Network Rail.
Helen’s delivery is calm, engaging, and quietly powerful. Her story is grounded in authenticity and backed by unmatched lived experience. Whether booked individually or as part of On A Mission, Helen offers a fresh, fearless voice that challenges audiences to push through setbacks, embrace high-performance habits, and lead with purpose in fast-paced environments.
