A former fighter pilot and executive officer in the world-famous Red Arrows, Justin Hughes is one of the most inspiring and motivational speakers on the circuit. Now a leading keynote speakers on mastering and maintaining high performance and managing high-risk environments, Justin uses his experience in the high-profile Red Arrows team to provide a fascinating talk for all to take away from. Initially starting his career in the RAF, Justin graduated as the top cadet of his entry. He had the opportunity to fly the magnificent Tornado F3, a fighter aircraft used for front-line air defence. During his career, Justin experienced and was involved in a number of operations all over the world, including the UN peacekeeping operations in Bosnia. It wasn't long before Justin was asked to join the world-famous aerobatic display team, The Red Arrows.
As a member of the Red Arrows, Justin was part of an elite hand-picked team of only nine pilots, further foresifying the talents that Justin has, and the ability to perform in high risk and high pressure situations. During his three years with the Red Arrows, Justin performed over 250 displayed worldwide, and took part in three international tours. An incredibly talented and successful individual, Justin Hughes has been awarded a number of awards from throughout his career. One of these awards includes the Wilkinson Sword for Outstanding Leadership. Now retired from flying, Justin founded his own successful consultancy firm, working with clients to help build and encourage high-performance environments.
Author of the incredibly popular ‘The Business of Excellence’, Justin bases one of his talks on the subject of this book. Exploring what drives high performance in teams and organisations, Justin draws on examples from business, sports, the military, and his own personal experience as a fighter pilot and member of the Red Arrows. An experienced speaker, presenter and host, Justin has featured at hundreds of conferences, academic forums and business events all around the world. As a result of this, he has worked with global clients such as 3M, Microsoft, Bank of England, NATO, Mercedes, F1 to name a few. Justin has also guest lectured at Oxford University’s MSc in Major Programme Management and London Business School’s ‘Executing Strategy for Results’. An all round operational, speaking, academic and consulting expert, Justin tailors his content to the specific client audience to provide an engaging and beneficial experience for all. Not only that, but Justin provides high impact team building seminars and workshops that can help with improving team relationships and success.
In October of 2020, our Director Jack Hayes was lucky enough to sit down with Justin and discuss all things Red Arrows, creating high-performance teams and showing leadership. Take a look at this exclusive interview with Justin, today.
How to hire Justin Hughes
Contact the Champions Speakers agency to provisionally enquire about Justin Hughes for your event today. Simply call a booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Justin has been delivering two new themes which are extremely relevant in current times. See these below.
Building high-performance virtual teams - including process to improve alignment and coordination, personal resilience for home workers and the key cultural traits of high-performance organisations.
Decision-making under ambiguity - approaches to mitigate cognitive and motivational biases which might affect our judgement and decision-making in uncertain times.
Justin's other official speaking topics are listed below.
- Building and maintaining high performance teams and organisations
- Teamwork and leadership
- Strategic ambiguity and agility
- Decision-making and risk management
- Behavioural safety and safety culture
"Justin was very well received, he was well prepared and came across in a manner that allowed the audience to connect and engage. He clearly adapted his style and message to align with the brief and discussion we had had before the event which was both pleasing and positive." - United Utilities, Brian Dunseath
"I would like to thank you for your amazing presentation and key note at the High Performance Teams Event on 9th February in Abu Dhabi. You captured the audience’s attention despite the fact that it was close to lunch time and the feel in the room was electric during your keynote. Thank you for transforming our event and making it dynamic. I believe my colleagues were interested in engaging with you further for future events in other offices and I definitely look forward to future collaborations." - Marita Mitschein, Managing Director of SAP Training & Development Institute FZCO
- Awarded the Wilkinson Sword for outstanding leadership in the RAF
- Graduated flight school as top cadet
- Deputy Team Leader and Executive Officer for the Red Arrows
- Served three years on the Red Arrows
- Chair of the Advisory Board for humanutopia
