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Combat pilot & leadership speaker

Sarah Furness

Boost leadership resilience with Sarah Furness, speaker and combat helicopter pilot. Sarah works with organisations to develop high-performance under pressure, resilience skills, and courageous leadership, delivering battlefield-tested insights from her pioneering RAF career and bestselling books.

Trusted by Iress

Sarah Furness, Speaker | Resilience & Performance Expert
Sarah Furness

Sarah Furness

London, United Kingdom

Typical fee range

£6–10k

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

£6–10k

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loading@getapeptalk.com

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+44 203 835 2929

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Sarah Furness's biography

At a glance

  • First female helicopter pilot to lead UK Special Forces missions in Iraq
  • Squadron Leader with operational combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan
  • Expert on resilience and performance under pressure, now a motivational speaker
Sarah Furness, after completing her studies at Cambridge University, pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a combat helicopter pilot in the RAF. Rising to the rank of Squadron Leader, she took charge of operational combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, where she achieved the remarkable feat of being the first female helicopter pilot to fly and lead UK Special Forces missions in Iraq. Sarah made two significant discoveries while on the battlefield and at home. First, she realized that resilience and exceptional performance under pressure are not innate qualities but skills that can be developed. Second, she observed that humans possess an extraordinary capacity to excel and lead when faced with intense pressure as long as they possess the necessary knowledge and tools. Now, as a keynote speaker, Sarah has dedicated herself to a singular mission - to unveil the secret behind outstanding resilience, high-performance, and courage in adversity. She aims to share this invaluable knowledge with others, empowering them to thrive even in the most challenging circumstances. Sarah’s bestselling books, Fly Higher and The Uni-Tasking Revolution, delve into practical techniques for achieving peak mental performance and building strong leadership skills. Fluent in “alpha male” environments, Sarah brings a relatable, grounded approach to her work, which is both inspiring and impactful.

Sarah's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

Lessons In High Performance From A Helicopter Pilot
In her talk, Sarah Furness discusses how our team's performance under pressure reflects training rather than character. She challenges the myth of multitasking, highlighting its detrimental effects on performance and stress levels. Attendees will learn to prioritise by focusing on one task at a time, collaborate effectively to avoid duplication, and adopt rigorous training to make behaviours automatic. These strategies lead to greater productivity, improved decision-making, fewer errors, and reduced burnout, ultimately enhancing overall performance.
Building Greater Resilience Through Self Trust
Individuals do not require constant supervision; instead, they must learn to trust themselves in order to build their resilience. In this session, Sarah Furness shares the secrets to building internal strength and self-trust by helping teams understand how to take ownership of their choices.
Creating A Culture Of Growth
In this talk, Sarah Furness challenges the notion of imposter syndrome, suggesting it is a natural part of the human experience that can help us recognise knowledge gaps and unique strengths. She emphasises that mistakes should be viewed as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks. By embracing our errors and fostering a culture of brave behaviours, organisations can enhance creativity, confidence, and collective intelligence. Attendees will learn how to cultivate a growth mindset and improve the success of change initiatives.
How to Lead Fearlessly
Sarah Furness argues that true psychological safety requires bravery, encouraging leaders to leverage it for more intuitive and emotionally intelligent leadership. By asking "brave questions" and embracing challenges, leaders can transform groupthink into collective intelligence. Attendees will learn how to foster greater team cohesion, trust, and authentic leadership, ultimately boosting self-confidence within their teams.

Why we recommend booking Sarah

As a speaker, Sarah offers your team insights into building resilience and excelling under pressure. Her unique experiences leading in extreme conditions will inspire and equip your team with practical tools for outstanding performance, fostering a culture of courage, leadership, and adaptability in your business environment.

Testimonials

I've heard many great speakers. It's rare to hear a speaker who can translate their experiences directly into the workplace with such clarity and such relevance.

Marcus Price

CEO, Iress

There is nobody worth listening to more than Sarah Furness in today's world. Real experience, real stories no out-of-a-book fluff.

Paul Lloyd

It was a pleasure to hear you speak earlier, and sparked a number of nerves on my part!! If I had known it was going to be that good, I would have closed the office and told the team to hear you speak.

Anonymous

Ex-Special Forces

Featured Projects

Sarah Furness - Fly Higher book cover
Sarah Furness - The Uni-Tasking Revolution book cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Sarah Furness for my next event?
Email sarah.furness@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 Sarah'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 Sarah Furness's speaking style like?
Sarah Furness draws on her RAF combat experience as a Squadron Leader and helicopter pilot to ground her sessions in operational reality, using that context to demonstrate that resilience and high performance under pressure are trainable skills rather than fixed traits. She structures her talks around a core behavioural framework — including the practice of uni-tasking, ownership of choices, and reframing mistakes as growth data — supported by material from her books Fly Higher and The Uni-Tasking Revolution.
What topics does Sarah Furness specialise in?
Sarah Furness speaks on high performance under pressure, resilience and self-trust, and cultivating a growth mindset culture. She served as a Squadron Leader in the RAF and was the first female helicopter pilot to fly and lead UK Special Forces missions in Iraq.
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.

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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.