Dan Lowes has spent two decades making high-stakes decisions in some of the most pressurised environments on earth. A former RAF Fighter Pilot, Top Gun graduate, and Executive Officer of the Red Arrows, Dan built his career on clarity, composure, and accountability when margins for error were non-existent. Trusted not only for his technical excellence but also his character, he was once voted by his instructors as the pilot they “would go to war with”. This rare blend of credibility and humanity underpins his ability to translate extreme performance into practical lessons for modern organisations.
Dan began his career after joining the Royal Air Force as a Fighter Pilot and Commissioned Officer, quickly gaining a reputation for decisive thinking in fast-moving, ambiguous situations. His selection for the Red Arrows marked a defining chapter, where he operated in one of the world’s most scrutinised elite teams. As Executive Officer, he was responsible for operational delivery, people, and standards, later being trusted to assess candidates for the team, giving him unique insight into identifying potential, managing pressure, and sustaining excellence. In 2020, Dan left the RAF to fly the Gulfstream G650 for a former head of state and now pilots the state-of-the-art Boeing 787.
Beyond the cockpit, Dan is recognised as a leading authority on performance management, elite teamwork, and world-class debriefing cultures. His experience has shaped a rigorous yet human approach to feedback, showing teams how to accelerate learning, reduce error, and build resilience through trust and accountability. He has delivered keynote sessions for organisations including Barclays, Swansea City Youth Academy, and the Premier League Head of Coach Development, tailoring his insights across sport, finance, and corporate leadership.
As a motivational speaker, Dan stands out because he understands what it truly means to perform when it matters most. Drawing candidly on success, failure, and constant scrutiny, he equips audiences with practical tools to manage stress, lead remotely, and maintain elite standards in ever-changing environments. His talks are grounded, authentic, and immediately applicable, inspiring teams to turn pressure into performance and clarity into lasting results.