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Speaker & former Royal Squadron pilot

Matt Lindley

Transform high-pressure teams with Matt Lindley, speaker and former Royal Squadron pilot. Matt works with global organisations to enhance human performance, inclusive leadership, and error reduction, delivering insights from his experience flying the Royal Family and operational missions worldwide.

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Matt Lindley, Speaker | Airline Captain & RAF Veteran
Matt Lindley

Matt Lindley

London, United Kingdom

Typical fee range

£2k–5k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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London, United Kingdom

Starting from

£2k–5k

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loading@getapeptalk.com

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+44 203 835 2929

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Matt Lindley's biography

At a glance

  • Former RAF Royal Squadron Pilot
  • One of the first openly gay RAF pilots
  • Head of Human Performance at Verpora
Matt Lindley is a commercial airline captain and former Royal Air Force (RAF) pilot, best known for his distinguished service flying members of the UK Royal Family and Government worldwide as part of 32 (The Royal) Squadron. After graduating with a degree in Commerce from the University of Birmingham, Matt began his career at Ford Motor Company, where he was selected from the graduate intake for his expertise in Japanese management techniques. In 1995, he was commissioned into the Royal Air Force and trained as a fast-jet pilot. In 1999, Matt was selected to serve on the prestigious Royal Squadron at RAF Northolt, London. As a VIP pilot, he was endorsed to fly Her Majesty The Queen and held the role of qualified flying instructor. Matt also flew many operational missions in Sierra Leone, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He became one of the first openly gay pilots in the RAF following the lifting of the ban on LGBTQ+ personnel—an experience that shaped his passion for inclusive leadership. In 2007, Matt transitioned to commercial aviation, flying the Airbus A320 across Europe before moving onto long-haul operations as a Boeing 777 pilot. Alongside his flying career, Matt is a sought-after keynote speaker and subject matter expert in Human Performance Factors—an applied science that explores how people perform under pressure and how to reduce error through better teamwork, communication, and leadership. He regularly speaks to global audiences on high-performance culture, inclusive leadership, and resilience in high-stakes environments.

Matt's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

How To Be An Inclusive Leader
Combining military precision with emotional insight, Matt Lindley unpacks the practical behaviours behind inclusive leadership. Through examples drawn from the cockpit, operational missions and culture change in the RAF, he shows how empathy, communication and situational awareness improve both morale and performance. His delivery is honest, disarming and quietly powerful. Leaders come away with a sharper understanding of how to foster trust, empower teams and lead inclusively in even the most pressurised settings.
High Performance Culture
Matt Lindley explores what high-stakes aviation can teach the business world about performance under pressure. Drawing from his time as a VIP RAF pilot responsible for flying the Royal Family and Ministers, Matt reveals how elite flight teams manage stress, reduce error and make critical decisions. With insight, warmth and sharp clarity, he brings the psychology of high performance to life. Audiences gain tools to foster resilient teams, better collaboration and stronger leadership under pressure.
Diversity in the Workplace
Matt Lindley brings a deeply personal lens to diversity, equity and inclusion, making the topic resonate far beyond policy. As one of the first openly gay pilots in the RAF, Matt experienced both the stifling impact of exclusion and the power of true acceptance. He connects DEI to human performance, mental health and company culture, offering a compelling narrative that cuts through jargon. Audiences leave challenged and equipped to create workplaces that value authenticity and allyship.

Why we recommend booking Matt

Book Matt Lindley to inspire your team with his unique insights from a career as a Royal Air Force pilot and commercial airline captain, where he mastered high-performance culture and inclusive leadership. Elevate your organization's teamwork and resilience by securing Matt for your next event today.

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frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Matt Lindley for my next event?
Email matt.lindley@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Matt's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
What is Matt Lindley's speaking style like?
Matt Lindley structures his sessions around direct parallels between RAF aviation operations and business environments, drawing on first-hand accounts from the cockpit, VIP missions and culture change within the RAF to illustrate principles of human performance, leadership and decision-making under pressure.
What topics does Matt Lindley specialise in?
Matt Lindley's sessions cover inclusive leadership, high-performance culture under pressure, and diversity and equity in the workplace. He is a former RAF Royal Squadron pilot who flew the UK Royal Family and Government ministers as part of 32 (The Royal) Squadron, and one of the first openly gay pilots in the RAF following the lifting of the ban on LGBTQ+ personnel.
Can PepTalk help plan the speaker programme for my event?

Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.

What does 'typical fee range' mean?

Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.

What logistics should I prepare before my speakers arrive?

Before your speakers arrive, confirm AV is tested, a green room is ready, and printed schedules are on hand. Prepare warm introductions for each speaker and brief your team on timings. PepTalk speakers come fully briefed, making event-day logistics smoother and stress-free from the start.

What's the difference between a keynote speaker, an MC, and event entertainment?

A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule a speaker booking?

Life happens! Most speaker bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker, but PepTalk handles all the details & contracts transparently upfront so there are no surprises. Our team supports you through any changes, making the process as smooth as possible.

Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?

Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

What information do I need to provide when booking a comedian?

When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.

What information do I need to provide when booking a speaker?

When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.

Can I book entertainment and speakers as a package?

Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.

Can I request autographs, personal greetings, signed merchandise, or fan mail from the speakers?

Sorry, we do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, or any non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.

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If you notice something that needs attention or have any queries regarding an expert speaker profile, please email us at experts@getapeptalk.com, and we’ll be happy to assist.

How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

Help, I need a last-minute speaker for my event!

No problem! We often handle last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, comedian, awards or event host quickly — almost anywhere in the world. However, speaker availability might be limited as the event date approaches. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.