The Society of Old Friends gathered at London’s RAF Club for a sold-out Spring Dinner that truly took flight on 1 May. With its fitting ‘Mayday! Mayday!’ theme and a keynote from RAF fighter pilot Mandy Hickson, the evening combined reflection, camaraderie and adrenaline-charged storytelling.
Approximately 100 guests were welcomed by Society President, Workplace360 CEO Steve Hilleard, who opened the evening by thanking members for their continued support. He spoke warmly of the Society’s values – connection, fellowship and resilience – and how they resonate as strongly today as they did when the Society was founded 116 years ago.
Membership milestones
In his speech, Hilleard celebrated the committee’s progress during his tenure, noting that the two-year goal of a 50% membership increase is on track. He also shared the Society’s success in increasing female membership by 60% in the past year, with women now making up nearly one-quarter of members, alongside a growing presence of younger executives.
A particular highlight of the opening address was the emphasis on the power of shared experience and collective strength during challenging times – the perfect set-up for what was to follow.
As is tradition, the room fell silent for the nine o’clock toast to absent friends – a poignant and respectful moment that underscores the strength of bonds within the Society, past and present.
Fearless leadership
Then came the headline act. Hickson, the first woman to fly the RAF’s Tornado GR4 on the front line, captivated the audience with accounts from her military training and career. Despite showing early promise and earning an RAF scholarship at age 17, her journey was marked by setbacks, including failing the flying aptitude test twice. Despite this, her determination led to her selection as a test case by the RAF, proving her capability and paving the way for future female pilots.
Hickson spent much of her career as the only female aircrew member, defying the odds to fly 45 combat missions over Iraq and complete three duty tours. Her story was one of grit, courage and extraordinary leadership from both herself and her mentors.
Whether describing flying at low altitude through hostile territory or making life-or-death decisions, Hickson’s stories were as compelling as they were inspiring. She also spoke about the human side of high-stakes operations and the role of trust and teamwork – themes she explores in her bestselling book An Officer, Not a Gentleman.
As guests continued to enjoy drinks, the atmosphere was one of admiration. Blending reflection with optimism for the future, the 2025 Spring Dinner was one of the most powerful and uplifting evenings in the industry calendar to date.
