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Keynote Speaker
Emma Henderson MBE
Multi-award-winning airline captain, author and leadership speaker
Popular talks
- Turbulence Is the Operating System
- Does Everyone Have the Same Flight Plan?
- One Crew, One Picture
- Think Like a Captain
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Talks
Popular talks by Emma Henderson MBE
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Turbulence Is the Operating System
Emma’s flagship keynote. Why constant change is the environment leaders operate in, not the exception, and how Grounded Leadership equips them to perform within it rather than simply recover from it.
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Does Everyone Have the Same Flight Plan?
Alignment and preparation before pressure. Why organisations drift when the plan lives in one person’s head, and the decision discipline that keeps everyone flying the same route.
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One Crew, One Picture
For teams working hard but not from the same picture. What the flight deck teaches about communication, shared awareness and genuinely joined-up teams.
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Think Like a Captain
Confident decision-making when the original plan no longer works, at every level of the organisation, not just the top.
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Airplane Mode
The Discipline of Focus How to focus when everything demands your attention. Airplane Mode is not about disconnecting from responsibility; it is about disconnecting from the noise long enough to make a better decision.
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From Airbus to Carebus: The Project Wingman Story
The story of building a national volunteer organisation in a matter of weeks. An inspirational session on purpose, people and leading when there is no rulebook.
Biography
About Emma Henderson MBE
Captain Emma Henderson MBE is an internationally experienced speaker, author and former airline captain who brings more than 30 years of aviation experience to the challenges facing today’s leaders and organisations.
One of fewer than 500 female airline captains in the world, Emma spent her career operating in an environment where pressure is constant, conditions change quickly and good decisions cannot wait for perfect information. She was trained, tested and retested in decision-making, communication, teamwork and leadership – and in maintaining performance when the original plan no longer worked.
When the Covid pandemic brought aviation to a standstill, Emma put those skills to work in an entirely different setting. She founded and led Project Wingman, growing it from an idea into a national organisation of 6,500 volunteer aircrew supporting frontline NHS staff in more than 80 hospitals. Her contribution was recognised with an MBE in the 2021 New Year Honours.
Today, Emma translates the disciplines of the flight deck into Grounded Leadership: a practical approach to helping leaders make confident decisions, create alignment and lead their people through sustained pressure and change.
Her signature work centres on three essential capabilities: establishing One Flight Plan, creating One Crew, One Picture, and enabling people at every level to Think Like a Captain when circumstances change.
Combining compelling aviation stories, hard-won leadership experience and practical tools, Emma gives audiences a shared language they can take straight back into their organisations. Her work is particularly relevant to leaders navigating transformation, uncertainty, competing priorities, decisions that carry real consequence and teams that are working hard but not always working from the same picture.
Emma is the author of Grounded, appeared in the ITV documentary Inside the Cockpit and is an Aviation Ambassador for the UK Department for Transport. Her delivery is engaging, candid and grounded in experience – not abstract leadership theory.
At the heart of her work is one powerful question:
Does everyone have the same Flight Plan?
Testimonials
What clients say about Emma Henderson MBE
"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."
"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."
"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 ca nnot recommend her highly enough."
"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."
"Emma's incredible story provided a unique perspective into change-readiness and the importance of self-belief when dealing with adversity... hers is a challenging and inspirational message that anything is possible if you practice gratitude and care in all things, make time for yourself, and always look to learn. A true leader in all she does."
"Hearing her remarkable story, delegates were delighted by Emma's authentic, passionate and humorous perspective of her career. Those attending learnt about humility in leadership, resilience in the face of challenges and altruism borne out of necessity. Emma clearly demonstrates how people can take their passions and dreams to the next level."
"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 the 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."
"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."
"Your talk was engaging, encouraging, witty, and we were all delighted to leave with so much enthusiasm."
How to book Emma Henderson MBE
Answers on fees, availability and booking process.
How do I book Emma Henderson MBE for a keynote speech?
You can book Emma Henderson MBE through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Emma's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
What are Emma Henderson MBE's speaking fees?
Emma Henderson MBE's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Emma tailored to your event.
What topics does Emma Henderson MBE speak about?
Emma Henderson MBE speaks on Change, Leadership, Strategy, Teamwork, Transformation. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Emma to align the content with your delegates and goals.
Is Emma Henderson MBE available for international events?
London Speaker Bureau can book Emma Henderson MBE for events worldwide, subject to Emma's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Does Emma Henderson MBE deliver virtual or online keynotes?
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Emma Henderson MBE is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
How long is a typical keynote by Emma Henderson MBE?
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Emma can accommodate.
Can Emma Henderson MBE tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?
London Speaker Bureau will brief Emma Henderson MBE on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Emma can offer.
What languages does Emma Henderson MBE present in?
Emma Henderson MBE delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
What makes Emma Henderson MBE a strong fit as a keynote speaker?
Emma Henderson MBE's areas of expertise include Change, Leadership, Strategy, Teamwork, Transformation. To get a clear sense of Emma's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
What kind of events can Emma Henderson MBE speak at?
Emma Henderson MBE can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Change, Leadership, Strategy, Teamwork, Transformation is relevant. Details of Emma's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Does Emma Henderson MBE offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Emma Henderson MBE is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
How far in advance should we book Emma Henderson MBE?
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Emma Henderson MBE, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Emma's current availability for your dates.
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