Kirsty Murphy MBE

The First & Only Female Red Arrows Pilot, Former Chief of Staff of the UK Space Agency & RAF Pilot of the GR4 Tornado

Kirsty Murphy MBE’s Biography:

Kirsty Murphy MBE is a pioneering Royal Air Force pilot and senior aviation leader, best known as the first and only female pilot to serve with the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Royal Air Force Red Arrows.

She joined the RAF in 1998 after graduating from Imperial College London with an MEng in Aeronautical Engineering. Her early career saw her qualify as a Hawk T1 Instructor Pilot in 2002, shaping the next generation of fast jet aircrew. In 2005, she became a Tornado GR4 operational pilot, flying missions in one of the RAF’s most demanding frontline aircraft.

In 2009, Kirsty made history when she was selected for the Red Arrows. Performing high-precision aerobatics at speeds of up to 600mph and often just metres apart, she represented the UK at major international events and state occasions. Her appointment marked a significant milestone for women in military aviation and inspired a new generation to consider careers in engineering and flight.

Following her display career, Kirsty moved into strategic leadership. In 2013, she was appointed Fast Jet Training and Capability Manager for the RAF, overseeing critical elements of pilot training and operational readiness. She later became an Aviation Ambassador for the Department for Transport and flew with the Blades Aerobatic Display Team, combining display flying with events consultancy for 2Excel Aviation.

In 2021, Kirsty joined the UK Space Agency as Chief of Staff, Head of Secretariat and Project Delivery Manager. She led transformational programmes during a complex, time-pressured period, helping steer organisational change with clarity and resilience.

She now serves as an Aviation Senior Consultant at Connected Places Catapult, having previously held senior leadership roles including Senior Executive Assistant to the COO, Executive Officer and Business Performance Team Lead, and Accelerator Programme Manager. Across her career, Kirsty has combined technical expertise with calm, decisive leadership, whether in the cockpit of a fast jet or guiding national innovation programmes.

Why Hire Kirsty Murphy MBE?

Kirsty Murphy MBE is hired as a speaker for her high-energy delivery, grounded credibility and rare first-hand experience of performing where mistakes are not an option. As the first and only female Red Arrows pilot in the Royal Air Force, she brings real operational insight into leadership, teamwork and decision-making under pressure.

Her journey began with rejection. She was initially turned down by the RAF for attending the “wrong” school and because her arms were measured 2mm too short. Refusing to accept that outcome, she hung from a bar every morning and eventually lengthened her reach by 4mm, earning her place in training. That determination underpins every message she shares.

Audiences value her authenticity. She speaks peer-to-peer, without theatrics, sharing what it truly takes to operate at 600mph just metres from another aircraft and still make calm, precise decisions. Her story goes far deeper than display flying. As a child, she was forced to build resilience when her father was captured and held hostage during the Gulf War. That early experience shaped her mental toughness long before she entered the cockpit.

Appointed MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2021 for Services to Aviation, Kirsty stands as a trailblazing female role model in a male-dominated sector. She also speaks candidly about anxiety, emotional burnout and sleep disorders following the breakdown of her marriage and witnessing two fatal aircraft crashes. Her sessions equip audiences with practical tools to manage pressure, recover from setbacks and sustain performance without sacrificing wellbeing.

Kirsty Murphy MBE’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Kirsty Murphy MBE’s remarkable career:

• 2025 – Aviation Senior Consultant for Connected Places Catapult
• 2021 – Appointed MBE in Queen Elizabeth II’s Birthday Honours
• 2021 – Chief of Staff, Head of Secretariat & Project Delivery Manager for the UK Space Agency
• 2019 – Aviation Ambassador for the Department for Transport
• 2016 – Blades Aerobatic Display Team Pilot & Events Consultant for 2Excel Aviation Ltd
• 2013 – Fast Jet Training & Capability Manager for the Royal Air Force
• 2009 – First female Red Arrows Pilot
• 2005 – Tornado GR4 Pilot in the Royal Air Force
• 2002 – Hawk T1 Instructor Pilot in the Royal Air Force
• 1998 – Pilot in the Royal Air Force