Former easyJet Airline Captain, Project Wingman CEO & AVIATE Creator
Emma Henderson’s Biography:
Emma Henderson MBE MRAeS is an international keynote and TEDx speaker, best-selling author, and former airline captain who helps organisations build calm, confident leadership under pressure. Now a Leadership Expert and creator of the AV8 Decision Making Model™ and Grounded Leadership framework, Emma brings aviation-grade discipline into the boardroom. Her most notable recent achievement is winning the 2025 Booker’s Choice Award at The Speaker Awards, confirming her as a go-to voice on decision-making, trust, and resilience when stakes are high.
Emma’s journey began long before the flight deck. She studied at the University of Leeds and later completed a Diploma in Interior Design, showing the breadth of her interests and her ability to balance learning with real life. Early in her aviation career, she trained and coached others as a Flight Instructor, then stepped into senior training responsibility as Deputy Chief Flying Instructor. Those formative years shaped the way Emma speaks today, clear briefings, honest debriefs, and practical methods that help people perform when information is incomplete and the pressure is rising.
Over more than 30 years in aviation, Emma progressed to commercial operations with easyJet, becoming a Senior First Officer and later an easyJet Captain. As one of fewer than 500 female airline captains worldwide, she led crews through complex, time-critical situations where communication and judgement matter more than confidence theatre. In 2020, Emma co-founded Project Wingman, creating wellbeing lounges to support NHS and blue light staff, and went on to serve as Chief Executive Officer until May 2025. In recognition of this work, she received an MBE in the 2021 New Year Honours, and her impact has been reinforced through further recognition, including the 2023 Moray Businesswoman of the Year award and the 2023 Aerotime Aviation Achievement Award. Alongside this, Emma’s credibility extends beyond the stage through her best-selling book, ‘Grounded’, which adds depth to her message on resilience, recovery, and leading through change.
Why Hire Emma Henderson?
People hire Emma Henderson because she delivers tools that leaders can use immediately, without jargon or fluff. Her talks cover decision-making under pressure, leadership through turbulent change, high-trust teams, communication under stress, and leading when you’re the only one, all rooted in real-world command experience. For example, Emma can teach a leadership team how to apply AV8 in a fast-moving operational issue, align quickly, make a clear call, then run a short debrief so the lesson sticks. If you want an audience to leave with clarity, confidence, and a practical framework they will actually use on Monday morning, Emma is the keynote speaker to book.
Emma Henderson’s Career Highlights:
Here are some of the key milestones that define Emma Henderson’s inspirational career in aviation:
- 2025 – Won Booker’s Choice at The Speaker Awards
- 2023 – Won Moray Businesswoman of the Year
- 2023 – Won Aerotime Aviation Achievement Award
- 2021 – Appointed MBE in the 2021 New Year Honours for founding Project Wingman
- 2021 – Won the BWPA Brabazon Cup for outstanding performance in aviation
- 2020 – Awarded a Points of Light Award for Project Wingman
- 2020 – Received The Points Guy ‘Making a Difference’ Award (Project Wingman)
Videos
Emma Henderson’s Official Keynote Speaking Videos & Showreel:
Testimonials
“Your talk was engaging, encouraging, witty, and we were all delighted to leave with so much enthusiasm.” – St Albans Chamber of Commerce
“Thank you for sharing your very inspiring story with us. I appreciated the level of self-disclosure you gave in highlighting the challenges you have faced in your personal & your professional life and your honesty in how you faced them. I loved the message that it is ok to fail and how this develops your perspective as a leader and keeps you grounded.” – Arlene, Local Director, RBS
“Emma’s story perfectly reflects the genuine and inspirational person that she is. Told in a refreshingly transparent and humorous way, from take-off to landing she captivated our global audience with a warmth and drive that clearly resonated with all. A special person who makes a big difference.” – Darren, Managing Director – Global Aviation & Space, WTW
“I cannot recommend Emma enough for your speaking events. She has worked with me twice now and I have been massively impressed by her professionalism, calmness, clarity of thought, humility and gentle humour. She consistently goes well above and beyond the brief and the members of my audience love her to bits. If you are thinking of someone to delight your audience, you must speak to Emma Henderson.” – LoveFly
“Emma is an incredibly talented leader and her natural storytelling ability is absolutely inspiring – mesmerising audiences she engages with. I could listen to Emma speak all day long. A wonderful talent.” – Dr Noel, Associate Dean, TUBS
“Emma shared her experience and insights with us in an engaging and compelling manner. Thoughtful, yet also inspirational, she made a profound impact on all those she engaged with during her time with us at the University. I cannot recommend her highly enough.” – Sir David, Sunderland VC & CE
“Emma is an incredibly talented leader and her natural storytelling ability is absolutely inspiring- mesmerising audiences she engages with. I could listen to Emma speak all day long. A wonderful talent!” – Dr Noel, Associate Dean, Teesside University Business School
“Emma was brilliant and the ladies loved her! And quite frankly of course they did! Thank you so much for your preparation and openness in answering the ladies’ questions… thank you, thank you!” – Rachel, Royal College of Defence Studies Spouses
“Emma’s incredible story provided a unique perspective into change-readiness and the importance of self-belief when dealing with adversity. Her contributions to our Women’s History Month celebrations provided a challenging and inspirational message that anything is possible if you practise gratitude and care in all things, make time for yourself and always look to learn. A true leader in all she does, we are so grateful for her time to inspire our customers and colleagues and look forward to doing it again (and again!)” – Josh, Regional Enterprise Manager, NatWest Group
“Emma spoke to our Y13s at the start of the academic year and her message was spot on! At a time in their lives when they need to be resilient and to persevere is so crucial, her inspiring and moving life lessons truly struck a chord and left our students feeling motivated to face the challenges of their final year of school” – Melanie, Year 13 Coordinator, Gordonstoun School
Speaking Topics
Emma Henderson’s Official Keynote Topics:
- Decision-Making Under Pressure
- Grounded Leadership
- Leading Through Turbulence
- Leading When You’re the Only One
- Women in Aviation and Leadership
How Much Does Emma Henderson Cost to Hire?
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Emma Henderson?
The cost of hiring Emma Henderson varies depending on your event format, location, audience size and session length. For an accurate, tailored quote, please contact a London Keynote Speakers Agency booking agent for expert guidance.