Presenting...

Emma Henderson MBE

Former Airline Captain | Charity Founder

"For organisations seeking a speaker who blends substance with style, Emma is the perfect fit. Her story is compelling, her insights are actionable, and her delivery always leaves a lasting impression”

Tracey Duke

Profile

Captain Emma Henderson MBE is a trailblazer; one of fewer than 500 female airline captains in the world. Her 12 years of aviation experience taught her to lead under immense pressure while prioritising her crew and passengers' well-being. This unique perspective shaped her signature philosophy of Grounded Leadership, built on the three pillars of Humanity, Humility, and Humour — values she lives by and shares with every audience.

When the pandemic brought her flying career to an abrupt halt, Emma founded Project Wingman, a global charity that provided frontline NHS staff with "first-class lounge" experiences to recharge during unprecedented challenges. Her inspiring ability to pivot and lead through adversity earned her an MBE in the 2021 New Year’s Honours list.

Now a sought-after global speaker, Emma brings her philosophy of Grounded Leadership to audiences worldwide, helping them navigate change, embrace resilience, and lead with authenticity.

Highlights

Trailblazing Female Captain: One of fewer than 500 female airline captains worldwide, commanding Airbus A320 jets for over a decade.
Founder of Project Wingman: Established a global charity supporting NHS frontline staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing “first-class” rest lounges for thousands of workers.
Royal Recognition: Awarded an MBE in the 2021 New Year’s Honours for her exceptional contributions to healthcare and aviation.
Global Advocate: Featured on international media platforms as a thought leader on resilience, leadership, and navigating change.

Key Themes

Grounded Leadership: How Humanity, Humility, and Humour create leaders who inspire trust and empower teams.
Navigating Change & Uncertainty: Practical strategies to embrace change and thrive amidst disruption.
Resilience & Mental Toughness: Lessons from the cockpit on staying composed and effective under pressure.
Authentic Leadership: The importance of leading with empathy, listening, and building genuine connections.
Decision-Making Under Pressure: Emma’s tried-and-tested frameworks for making critical decisions in high-stakes environments.

The Lasting Impact

Emma provides a roadmap for sustained growth and transformation. Her unique combination of authenticity, actionable insights, and human-centered storytelling ensures that her message resonates long after the event.

Audiences walk away equipped to:

Lead with Humanity: Emma’s emphasis on empathy and trust transforms how leaders connect with their teams, building cultures of inclusion and collaboration.
Adapt with Resilience: By reframing challenges as opportunities, Emma empowers individuals to face uncertainty with confidence and creativity.
Elevate Decision-Making: Her proven frameworks from the cockpit help leaders approach decisions with clarity and precision, even in high-pressure scenarios.
Foster Continuous Growth: Emma’s focus on reflection, learning, and refinement enables teams to sustain long-term performance improvements.

Through her philosophy of Grounded Leadership, Emma delivers practical tools that organisations can implement immediately, creating a ripple effect of positive change across their leadership, teams, and culture.