Dr Jo Salter MBE

Dr Jo Salter MBE is famed for becoming the first female fast jet pilot, having flown the Panavia Tornado ground attack aircraft during her services in the Royal Air Force. Joining the RAF aged 18, Jo has since taken Air Cadets into the skies as part of Air Experience Flights, become the Director of Global Transformative Leadership for PwC, and most recently become a Global Advisory of GenAI for PwC. Having developed first-class expertise in leadership, analytical thinking and performing under pressure, Jo is now a highly sought-after public speaker to share stories from her time in the skies.

Aged 18, Jo joined the Royal Air Force and began her studies at the Royal Military College of Science. Initially passionate to become an engineering officer, Jo’s decisions made a U-turn when it was announced that women would be allowed to pilot jet aircraft. In 1992, Jo earned her wings to fly and she later completed her fast jet training at the end of the year. Becoming a Flight Lieutenant of the 617 Squadron, Jo went on to claim the title of the first female fast jet pilot.

Since then, Jo has piloted flights in the Air Cadets Air Experience Flights and inspired countless budding armed service members to pioneer a male-dominated sector, having been the leader of an all-male squadron. Since leaving the military behind, Jo has established a strong business career working in roles such as Head of Technical Services for NetConnect, European Operations Manager for Automated Power Exchange and Managing Director of Saltin Ltd.

Jo is a passionate Trustee of The Royal Air Force Club and an Ambassador of the Global Angels charity, an organisation that gives communities around the world access to clean water, education, healthcare and encourages female and youth empowerment. Jo has also authored two books, titled ‘Energy: 52 Ways to Fire Up Your Life’ and ‘Become an Energy Angel and Energize: Spring Clean Your Mind and Body to Get Your Bounce Back Today and Every Day’.

In recognition of her achievements throughout her career, Jo has also been named as one of the 50 Most Inspiring Women in the World by Harpers & Queen. She is now working as the Director of Global Transformation Leadership at PWC, after working in other roles such as Director of Risk Technology Strategy, Director Chief of Staff to Head of Technology & Investments and the Director of People & Organisations. In 2022, Jo was invited personally by Tom Cruise to attend the premiere of Top Gun: Maverick. Most recently, Jo received an honorary doctorate of Arts from Bournemouth University.

With such a diverse career, Jo is the perfect addition to various workshops, conferences and panel discussions. Sharing her empowering stories as a pioneering woman in a male-dominated sector, Jo makes the perfect keynote speaker for all events – from International Women’s Day empowerment events to conferences on transformative leadership and navigating disruption.

Jo’s Topics:

Disruption & Transformation

Drawing from her groundbreaking career as the RAF’s first female fast jet pilot and her leadership roles at PwC, Jo expertly shares her knowledge on disruption and transformation. Having navigated the ever-changing landscapes of military service and business, Jo provides her invaluable insight into driving transformation and mitigating disruption in any sector – including her newfound expertise on digital transformation as the Global Advisory of GenAI at PwC. Her ability to adapt to new roles, lead under pressure and navigate the complexities of operations has honed her ability to cause positive disruption and achieve significant transformations.

Adopting a Change Mindset

Jo’s military career has uniquely positioned her to develop profound expertise in change management and embracing a change mindset. In an environment characterised by constant evolution and unforeseen challenges, Jo’s military career forced her to challenge the norm, break stereotypes and embrace change. Such experience has proved invaluable in her later career, having honed a change mindset that has allowed her to approach challenges with confidence and strategic insight.

Generative AI

Jo Salter speaks passionately on Generative AI due to her deep expertise and recent appointment as the Global Advisory of GenAI at PwC. Her role focuses on navigating emerging technologies and implementing ethical AI strategies. Previously, she worked in Risk GenAI at PwC, developing a keen understanding of the risks associated with AI implementations. Her experience equips her to address the opportunities and challenges of Generative AI in the business landscape.

How to Empower Female Leadership in the Workplace

With her pioneering past as the first female fast jet pilot, Jo exemplified female leadership and resilience. Forging a trailblazing path in the male-dominated military sector, Jo showcases the true potential of female leadership and women in business – famed for having commanded an all-male squadron. Inspiring by example, Jo encourages women to believe they can pursue high-impact careers and lead with power and confidence.

How to Build High Performing Teams

Drawing on her experience of managing high-performing teams, both in the RAF and at PwC, Jo excels in not only the creation but also the maintenance of high-performance teams. Integrating her in-depth understanding of resilience, strategic thinking and the importance of diversity, Jo fosters the creation of innovative working environments in which people can thrive. Utilising her powerful expertise as a leader, Jo imparts her wisdom on how to leverage individual strengths to generate high-performing teams. When looking for a speaker whose expertise will create team excellence, Jo is a fantastic choice.

The Art of Inclusive Leadership

Having navigated the male-dominated sector of the RAF, Jo is profoundly informed on the importance of inclusive leadership. Navigating this challenging landscape, she gained unique insights into the importance of diversity, empathy and equitable opportunities, which she now applies to foster more inclusive, understanding and effective leadership styles. With first-hand experience in overcoming gender barriers, Jo is on a mission to create inclusive environments where diverse talent can share their perspectives and have their expertise valued and leveraged.