The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has confirmed a highflying keynote speaker for the BMF Members Day in September.

Mandy Hickson was the only female pilot on her Front Line Tornado Squadron, flying multi-million pound fast jets for the RAF. Her route to the top began when she was awarded a RAF flying scholarship at 17, long before she even passed her driving test. She went on to complete three tours of duty and 45 missions over Iraq. The strategies, tactics and behaviours adopted for such high stake missions are equally relevant to business leaders.

Ms Hickson will draw on her experience of working within an elite team of fast jet operators to show how the same values apply within any competitive environment. She uses her in-depth knowledge of calculated risk taking, decision-making under pressure, and the critical role of the human in the system to transfer lessons from the cockpit to the boardroom.

John Newcomb, managing director of the BMF, said: “Members Day is the BMF’s biggest event this year and over 250 people have already confirmed their attendance. We are delighted that Mandy completes our line-up of speakers. Her front line experience brings another dimension to our overall theme, Together Towards Tomorrow.”

BMF Members’ Day takes place on 20 and 21 September at the Jurys Inn Hinckley Island Hotel in Leicestershire. In addition to the business conference, the two-day event encompasses a black-tie awards dinner, and informal networking opportunities including the BMF’s Golf Tournament, which will be held at the nearby Nuneaton Golf Club.

For more information, and to book your place, contact june.upton@bmf.org.uk