Book IWD Speaker: Kirsty Murphy MBE

First & only femaleRed Arrows pilot, former RAF Tornado GR4 pilot, Chief of Staff & Transformational Lead for UK Space Agency

Kirsty Murphy MBE is one of Britain's most inspiring aviation pioneers, best known as the first and only female pilot to fly with the Royal Air Force's Red Arrows. A decorated RAF officer, accomplished fast jet pilot and Aviation Senior Consultant at Connected Places Catapult, Kirsty has built an exceptional career in high-performance environments where precision, teamwork and leadership are critical. Today, she is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, sharing powerful lessons on resilience, performing under pressure, leadership and overcoming adversity.

Growing up in a military family, Kirsty's determination was shaped from an early age. At 13, her father was captured and tortured during the Gulf War, inspiring her to pursue a career in the RAF. Despite initially being rejected because she had attended the "wrong" school and because her arms measured just 2mm below the required length, Kirsty refused to give up. She eventually met the physical requirements while earning an MEng in Aeronautical Engineering from Imperial College London before joining the Royal Air Force as a Pilot in 1998.

During her 17-year RAF career, Kirsty served as a Hawk T1 Instructor Pilot, Tornado GR4 Pilot and Fast Jet Training and Capability Manager before making history in 2009 as the first and only woman selected to fly with the Red Arrows. Flying in close formation at over 400mph demanded complete trust, flawless teamwork and split-second decision making. She later became Executive Officer of the Red Arrows, leading one of Britain's most iconic display teams and developing expertise in leadership, communication and building high-performing cultures.

Following her RAF service, Kirsty joined 2Excel Aviation Ltd as a Blades Aerobatic Display Team Pilot and Events Consultant while also serving as an Aviation Ambassador for the Department for Transport. She later held senior leadership roles at the UK Space Agency, including Chief of Staff, Head of Secretariat and Project Delivery Manager, helping deliver a major organisational transformation. She has since progressed through several leadership positions at Connected Places Catapult and now serves as Aviation Senior Consultant, supporting innovation across the aviation sector.

In recognition of her outstanding contribution to aviation, Kirsty was appointed MBE in Queen Elizabeth II's 2021 Birthday Honours.

As a keynote speaker, Kirsty combines extraordinary experiences with practical lessons that translate directly into business. Drawing on her background in elite military aviation, she explores leadership, resilience, teamwork, risk management, decision making and performing under pressure. She also speaks openly about overcoming anxiety, emotional burnout and personal setbacks, demonstrating how resilience is built through challenge and perseverance.

Energetic, authentic and highly relatable, Kirsty inspires audiences to embrace change, challenge perceived limitations and unlock higher levels of performance. Whether speaking at leadership conferences, corporate events or International Women's Day celebrations, she leaves audiences with practical strategies they can immediately apply in both their professional and personal lives.

Recognised as one of the Top Trending Female Motivational Speakers to Hire for Events and one of the 17 Top-Rated Keynote Speakers to Work With in Europe by Socialnomics, Kirsty Murphy MBE is one of the UK's leading keynote speakers on leadership, resilience and high performance.

---