Jas Hawker is a former Royal Air Force fast jet pilot and former Leader of the Red Arrows, with extensive experience of leadership, decision-making and performance in high-pressure environments. Having joined the RAF as a teenager, Jas became the youngest pilot to join a frontline RAF Tornado Squadron, gaining operational experience around the world and progressing to Deputy Squadron Commander. His career has taken him from flying fast jets at over 800 mph to leading elite teams and multinational aviation programmes, giving him first hand insight into how organisations can build trust, lead change and sustain high performance.
Jas first served with the Red Arrows as a wingman before later returning to lead the world-renowned RAF Aerobatic Team. As Leader, he was responsible for eight fellow display pilots while helping protect the reputation of both the Royal Air Force and the United Kingdom on the international stage. The environment demanded exceptional standards of preparation, communication and trust. Each year, three of the team's nine display pilots are replaced, yet the Red Arrows are expected to maintain the same world-class performance from day one, with no reduction in standards. Jas uses this experience to demonstrate how strong leadership, trust and a learning culture enable teams to perform consistently through periods of change.
Beyond the Red Arrows, Jas has held a range of senior military, government and aviation appointments. He completed the Advanced Command and Staff College programme in Australia before serving in Afghanistan within the multinational ISAF headquarters as Senior Air Advisor. His wider career has included strategic planning and joint capability development at the Ministry of Defence, advanced flying training for RAF pilots and serving as Head of Fixed Wing Flying Training. Since 2023, he has served as a Branch Chief for NATO Flight Training Europe, advising governments and industry on future military aviation training capability. His experience also encompasses business development, consultancy and the leadership of complex multinational programmes.
As a motivational and leadership speaker, Jas translates lessons from elite aviation into practical insights for organisations operating in uncertain and demanding environments. His central message is that important decisions are rarely made in comfort. In fast-moving situations, there is no pause button, making preparation, trust and the ability to learn quickly critical. Drawing on experiences ranging from frontline flying and the Red Arrows to government, NATO and multinational operations, Jas explores leadership, organisational change, decision-making under pressure and high performance. Audiences gain practical lessons on preparing for what matters, establishing trust before it is needed and creating cultures capable of learning and adapting without compromising standards.
