Business Speakers
Matt Lindley is an airline and ex RAF Royal Squadron Pilot.
In 1995 Matt was selected to be a pilot in the Royal Air Force. He flew many types aircraft including the Hawk fighter jet.
In 2000 he was selected to fly Her Majesty The Queen, members of the Royal Family and Government worldwide serving on the Royal Squadron.
Whilst serving, he became a qualified flying instructor and VIP qualified Captain.
He flew missions in the Sierra Leone, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.
Matt was one of the first openly gay pilots in the RAF.
In 2007 Matt left the Service to join British Airways, initially flying the Airbus on their short haul network. Matt now flies the Boeing 747 on BA’s long haul routes.
Diversity and Inclusion Speaker:
As a diversity and inclusion speaker, Matt Lindley talks candidly about being one of the first openly gay pilots in the Armed Forces.
Listen to his journey of having a childhood dream to fly, almost crushed by a ban on gay serving personnel in the Forces.
Matt describes how he consciously suppressed his sexuality and joined an organisation knowing that being ‘out’ would have resulted in a possible prison sentence.
Watch clips from Matt’s Diversity and Inclusion presentation:
His story is one of self-motivation, and drive which led to a dream being fulfilled.
Matt describes how the RAF adapted its culture from one of open hostility towards gay personnel to acceptance and support.
But this is not just another ‘coming out story’. Instead, Matt uses his experience, to highlight the benefits of positive culture change and transformational leadership to the well-being of employees and the productivity of an organisation.
Speaking topics covered by Matt include:
- Emotional Intelligence and Empathy
- Personal and Business Resilience
- Equality
- Bullying in the Workplace
- Stress Management
- Mental Health
- Teamwork
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Resilience
- Decision Making
- Leadership
- Mental Strength
- EQ
