Justin Hughes

Justin Hughes is the CEO of biotech/climate startup NetZeroNitrogen and former Red Arrows pilot, performing over 250 displays worldwide. He is a renowned speaker on a range of related topics including leadership, building high-performance teams (inc virtual), decision-making under ambiguity, and performance in high-risk environments.

Combining his CEO status with turnaround experience as a senior corporate executive, and as a former fighter pilot and Executive OGicer of the Red Arrows, Justin has ‘skin in the game’ when it comes to building high-performance cultures. He is a renowned speaker on a range of related topics including leadership, building high-performance teams (inc virtual), decision-making under ambiguity, and performance in high-risk environments. Delivery options include keynotes, facilitation and workshops and he has extensive experience with diverse audiences in the US, Europe, the Middle and Far East, and China.

Justin brings an unusual combination of a highly engaging delivery style and clear, actionable insights based on first-hand knowledge of the most demanding operating environments. His passion for high performance evolved from his military experience, flying in over 250 displays worldwide on the Red Arrows. Justin’s BETTUR (Better Understanding of Reality) model is based on personal learning of how you plan, execute and adapt in situations characterised by ambiguity, imperfect information, speed of change and pressure to deliver.

Since leaving the RAF, Justin has worked as a strategic adviser on organizational effectiveness to clients including Microsoft, the United Nations and Mercedes Formula 1, and he is a regular contributor to BP’s global Leading in Operations programme. He is the author of The Business of Excellence (Bloomsbury, 2016), has been profiled in the London Standard, Director Magazine, the Daily Telegraph and the Independent, and interviewed for BBC World ‘Talking Business’, BBC Breakfast and GB News.

As a result of some intellectual mid-life crisis, Justin has an MBA from London Business School and an MSt in International Relations from the University of Cambridge (both Distinctions). For the latter, he planned a thesis on pandemics but thought nobody would be interested (in 2017!), and instead analysed the threat posed by cryptocurrency to the financial order; he is currently sitting on a return of 1000%; unfortunately he only bought $30.

How can we create high performance teams? How should we think about managing risk? And what makes a great leader?

Whether he is speaking at conference or seminar, black tie dinner or motivating a group of colleagues at a company motivational away-day, Justin Hughes is an inspiring speaker, with a wealth of experience in delivering results in an environment where failure is not an option and mistakes cost lives.

Over nearly two decades he has built a track record of successfully partnering some of the world’s most successful commercial organisations, high-profile public sector bodies, multinational agencies and world championship winning sports franchises.

Justin’s areas of expertise include:
• Building high-performance teams and organisations
• Leadership
• Strategic ambiguity and agility
• Decision-making and risk management
• Behavioural safety and safety culture

Justin Hughes has a proven track record in engaging and inspiring audiences worldwide, the business experience to really understand your organisational challenges and credibility of having been a Red Arrows’ pilot. He really does have the ability to motivate and entertain any audience.

Justin's keynote motivational speech explains about life as a Red Arrows pilot, including amusing anecdotes as well as the serious side of the business.

Justin Hughes has presented his speeches at hundreds of management meetings, conferences, academic forums and dinners worldwide with clients ranging from global corporations (e.g. 3M, Microsoft) to public sector (e.g. Bank of England, NATO) and world championship-winning sports franchises (e.g. Mercedes F1). He was also a guest presenter on Oxford University’s MSc in Major Programme Management London Business School’s ‘Executing Strategy for Results’.

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