Sarah Furness is a former RAF helicopter pilot who combines her experiences as a combat operational commander and mindfulness practitioner to inspire event audiences in and beyond the UK. Specifically focusing on enhancing productivity in a more mindful and encouraging way, she breaks down the notion of ‘good’ leadership and how it can be achieved. No matter how far along you are on your personal journey, Sarah will be able to enhance your understanding of how to take your next step forward. Performance and resilience may not be a core part of us as people, but it’s something that can be learned. And, as it happens, Sarah is more than happy to teach listeners how.
Having spent over two decades excelling as a leader under fire, Sarah has developed a unique talent for exploring the psyche behind performance. Taking what she learned from the battlefield to the stage, she presents talks that partner gripping storytelling and actionable guidance to motivate audiences to become the very best that they can be. Whether she’s providing leaders with workable strategies that have been tried and tested in the most unforgiving of conditions, or educating teams on endurance and mindfulness in the workplace, Sarah equips herself with an empathetic approach that balances growth and wellbeing. This is best seen in her unique Healthy Automatic Behaviours in Threatening Scenarios Formula – a revolutionary practise that helps train the mind to achieve inner calm and enhanced self-belief.
Since transitioning into her role as a dedicated keynote speaker in 2021, Sarah has uplifted and inspired businesses with her tales of overcoming adversity and cultivating courage. Between publishing her Amazon Bestselling Books “Fly Higher” in 2022 and “The Uni-Tasking Revolution” in 2024, and her frequent appearances across some of the world’s greatest stages, she goes above and beyond to ensure an unforgettable experience. To Sarah, being a speaker comes with the responsibility of giving listeners something workable to take home with them, and she’s truly taken the time to devise presentations that achieve this and more.
Sarah Furness is an exemplary speaker, coach, and author whose unapologetic exploration of how to persist as a leader under pressure has defined her as a person. Through her lived experiences and her unique perspective on growth, she delivers talks that give listeners the tools they need to thrive, no matter their circumstances. Inspirational in every sense of the word, Sarah is bound to bring something spectacular to your event. Hire her via Champions Speakers today!
How to hire Sarah Furness
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Sarah Furness for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official 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.
Sarah Furness's official speaking topics are listed below:
It's YOUR Passion Project, not ours:
Stories are fun, and there will be plenty of those, but you don't just need entertainment, you need results, right? Sarah will spend time with you understanding your objectives and ambition... and crucially what's going to get in the way of achieving that ambition. Each talk is specially curated to help you achieve your ambition, and solve your biggest challenges.
Mindset shifts, not "good ideas" lists:
So you want results and ideas on how to solve your biggest challenges, Yes? Great! But Sarah's not going to give you a list of things you need to do; you've got enough on your plate. Instead Sarah will guide you to THINKING DIFFERENTLY about the challenges you face. This is why a mindset shift is the ultimate change catalyst because it will help you discover how YOU can solve your problems, maybe even enjoy it in the process. It's lightbulb moment stuff.
Accountable for lasting results
A great keynote is so much more than 40 minutes on stage. It begins with the preparatory work to understand the ambition and the challenges, and goes all the way through the follow up. Sarah will work with you to ensure the key messages continue to embed in the mindset and actions of the team. With follow up resources and the famous "debrief", you'll have your chance to give feedback and to brainstorm any ongoing challenges.
Official Feedback from In-Person & Online Events
Official Feedback from In-Person Events
"The standout moment for me was Sarah Furness' keynote speech on leadership, where she drew on her experience as a Puma pilot flying in conflict zones. Obviously, the storms that Sarah faced in her career were quite different to those that Donald Millar and I face, but her thoughts on leadership do translate from the battlefield to the exciting world of UK Real Estate! With a flight to the UAE coming up, I'm looking forward to delving into her book Fly Higher.” - Michael
“The highlight of the afternoon was a keynote session by Sarah Furness, a former RAF combat helicopter pilot and Squadron Leader. Sarah shared her experiences of embracing vulnerability and thriving in uncertainty - valuable takeaways for all our resilient leaders” - HG
“If you're looking for an inspiring yet credible and relatable speaker Sarah Furness is the woman you want. Sarah takes the time to understand her audience so she can tailor her key messages and takeaways for people to take back to their day jobs. It's impossible to listen to Sarah's stories and experiences and not be motivated to trust yourself and your decisions more.” - Rachel
“Sarah's keynote at our National Sales Conference, speaking to 700 sale professionals, was truly captivating. Drawing from her remarkable career as a Combat helicopter pilot and Squadron Leader in the RAF, Sarah delivered a session that provided invaluable insights on gaining a competitive edge 'under fire.’ Her stories and experiences from life-or-death situations offered a fascinating parallel to the high-stakes environment of sales, emphasizing the importance of holding one's nerve in challenging situations.” - Steve
- 2024 - Published "The Uni-Tasking Revolution"
- 2022 - Published "Fly Higher"
- 2022 Began working as a speaker.
- 2021 Recognised with the DG DSA 3 Star Commendation for leading a team that transitioned military training to a virtual format.
- 2021 Became an associate at Newnham College, Cambridge, providing career mentoring.
- 2020 Founded Well Be It and developed the HABITS framework.
- 2020 Nominated twice for the Women in Defence Awards.
- 2018 Appointed as Air Safety and Human Factors Trainer at the Defence Academy Shrivenham.
- 2000 Graduated from Cambridge University and became a combat helicopter pilot in the RAF.
