020 8914 8966
020 8914 8966
I cannot recommend Matt highly enough. He talked to the Close Brothers community about his journey and it resonated incredibly well with all colleagues, not just those from the LQBQT community. His candour and honesty really connected with people, and the ties with wider mental wellness and resilience were incredibly topical given the current pandemic. His humour shone through and it was one of the best received external speakers we have had to date.
Martyn, Atkinson Group, Chief Operating Officer
Matt Lindley – Founder of Propel Performance & Propel Performance Director
Matt Lindley is an accomplished keynote speaker whose career has spanned the Royal Air Force, commercial aviation and corporate consultancy. A former Royal Squadron Pilot and now British Airways Captain, Matt has flown everyone from members of the Royal Family to international leaders, as well as serving in some of the world’s most challenging environments. As one of the RAF’s first openly gay pilots, he is also recognised as a pioneer for inclusion. Today, Matt combines his aviation expertise with his personal journey to deliver impactful talks on leadership, resilience, mental health and high performance.
Speaking Topics:
- Human Limitations at Work
- Inclusive Leadership
- Leadership and Behaviour
- Banter in the Workplace
- Decision-Making Under Stress
- Communication & Assertiveness
- Conflict Management
- Allyship
- Authentic Self
- Management Lessons from the Flight Deck
- Mental Health
- Speak-Up Culture
- Flattening Hierarchy
- Stress, Fatigue & Human Performance
Credentials and Impact
Matt’s professional journey began after graduating from the University of Birmingham with a degree in commerce. He first joined Ford Motor Company as a Japanese Management Consultant, developing a strong foundation in operational performance and organisational culture. In 1995, he fulfilled his dream of joining the Royal Air Force as a Fast Jet Pilot, later flying the Hawk and serving in high-stakes deployments in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan and Sierra Leone. His exceptional skill and professionalism earned him selection to the elite Royal Squadron, where he became a VIP Captain responsible for flying Her Majesty The Queen, members of the Royal Family and the UK Prime Minister.
In addition to his operational flying, Matt became a qualified flying instructor, shaping the next generation of pilots with a focus on safety and precision. Transitioning to commercial aviation in 2007, he flew the Boeing 747 for British Airways before moving onto the Boeing 777, where he continues to serve as a long-haul Captain. Alongside his flying career, he founded Propel Performance in 2012 and later became Partner & Head of Human Performance at Verpora, where he applies aviation safety models to healthcare and business, reducing human error and improving performance. This unique blend of elite military, corporate and commercial aviation experience makes Matt a trusted authority on leadership, teamwork and resilience.
Publications and Media
Matt has shared his expertise and story widely through articles, interviews and industry features on leadership, diversity and human performance. His thought leadership has appeared in aviation, healthcare and corporate publications, where he explores topics such as decision-making under pressure, inclusive leadership and mental well-being. Matt continues to contribute to professional discussions through keynote speaking, training content and media appearances, ensuring his insights reach both specialist and mainstream audiences.
Why Book Matt?
Audiences book Matt for his rare ability to blend world-class aviation expertise with powerful personal storytelling. Having flown in high-pressure combat zones, led operations for the Royal Squadron and captained commercial long-haul flights, he draws on extraordinary experiences to deliver lessons on decision-making, resilience and teamwork. His journey as one of the RAF’s first openly gay pilots gives him unique credibility when addressing inclusion and mental health, showing how individuals and organisations can thrive by embracing authenticity.
Matt’s impact extends beyond aviation through his consultancy work with Propel Performance and Verpora, where he translates safety models into healthcare and business to reduce human error. His TEDx speaker, ‘Fear: Fight or Flight‘, offers compelling insights into how people perform under stress. Known for his warmth, relatability and engaging delivery, Matt equips audiences with practical tools to improve culture, performance and wellbeing. Whether addressing corporate leaders, healthcare professionals or diverse teams, he inspires lasting change and creates an environment where people feel empowered to succeed.
