Speaker Spotlight: Commander Sasha Nash – The First Female Commander of the Red Arrows

The appointment of Sasha Nash as the first female Wing Commander of the Red Arrows marks a defining moment for the Royal Air Force. For decades, the RAF, like much of the defence and aviation world, has been shaped by deeply entrenched male leadership. Progress has come steadily, but rarely in ways this visible. By taking command of one of the most recognisable teams in British aviation, Sasha Nash has broken a long-standing glass ceiling.

Wing Commander Sasha Nash’s Key Career Achievements:

• 2026 – Appointed as the Wing Commander of the Red Arrows aerobatic display team of the Royal Air Force
• 2006 – Graduated from Initial Officer Training
• 2005 – Joined the Royal Air Force
• Former Member of Hampton School Combined Cadet Force & East Midlands Universities’ Air Squadron
• Completed the Operational Conversion Unit, posted to the 31 Squadron at RAF Marham, deployed on operational tours in Afghanistan
• Qualified Flying Instructor, instructing fast-jet pilots on the Tucano at RAF Linton-on-Ouse
• Posted to the Combat Air Desk at Air Command
• Former Squadron Commander at the Royal Air Force Officer Training Academy

Sasha Nash’s Biography:

Wing Commander Sasha Nash is a senior Royal Air Force officer, currently working as the Commanding Officer of the Red Arrows, whose career places her at the sharp end of performance under pressure. With over two decades of experience in fast-jet operations, Sasha brings rare credibility to conversations around critical decision-making, leadership and sustained peak performance in high-risk environments.

Educated at the University of Leicester, Sasha gained a degree in Psychology with Sociology, developing an early interest in human behaviour, motivation and decision-making – an academic grounding that has shaped her approach to leadership. Her aviation journey began through the Hampton School Combined Cadet Force and the East Midlands Universities’ Air Squadron, before joining the Royal Air Force in 2005. By 2006, Sasha had completed her Initial Officer Training, gaining her coveted wings.

Selected to become an esteemed fast jet pilot, Sasha progressed to fly the Tucano and the Hawk T1 before she was chosen to fly the Tornado GR4. Having completed her Operational Conversion Unit, Sasha was then posted to 31 Squadron at RAF Marham, flying operational tours across Afghanistan. Such deployments demanded that Sasha demonstrate calm judgement, often finding herself speaking to her teams on how to perform under extreme pressure, rapidly perform risk assessments and show consistency when the stakes are high.

Later in her career, Sasha was trained to become a Qualified Flying Instructor, inspiring the next generation of fast-jet pilots with her ability to remain calm under pressure and sharp analytical thinking. Based at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, Sasha helped students navigate their training aboard the Tucano with ease. Her career has also included strategic roles, including a posting to the Combat Air Desk at Air Command and a tour as Squadron Commander at the Royal Air Force Officer Training Academy.

Promoted to Wing Commander in 2026, Sasha is now working as Officer Commanding RAFAT, better known as the Red Arrows. Alongside this, Sasha is responsible for the role of Chief of Staff in the Display Wing Headquarters, leading 150 people at RAF Waddington, working with both the Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Sources: Royal Air Force, the BBC & The Independent

Sasha Nash – Leading RAF Voice on Risk, Performing Under Pressure & Critical Decision-Making:

Sasha Nash has built a powerful and practical skill set through a Royal Air Force career spent performing under constant pressure. Fast-jet operations demand calm thinking, rapid decision-making and disciplined preparation. Alongside this, Sasha has been a visible advocate for diversity and inclusion within the military, using her platform to challenge outdated norms and widen who feels they belong in high-performance environments. These experiences have shaped how she leads, how she speaks, and how she supports others to perform at their best when the stakes are high.

Clear speaking is essential in aviation, where briefings, instructions and decisions must be understood instantly. As an instructor and commander, Sasha learned how to speak with clarity, confidence and intent. She also understands how inclusive leadership and language directly affect trust, safety and performance, particularly in teams made up of people with different backgrounds and experiences. These skills apply as much to boardrooms and conference halls as they do to the cockpit.

When speaking, Sasha draws on lived experience to explore performance, resilience and inclusion. She shares real situations where behaviour, leadership choices and representation mattered, including navigating and challenging gender stereotypes within the RAF and the Red Arrows. Her talks show how high standards and inclusive cultures reinforce each other, creating teams that perform better under pressure and individuals who feel empowered to succeed.

Hire an RAF Speaker Today for Detailed Military Expertise!

Here at The Female Motivational Speakers Agency, we have the pleasure of working with various expert speakers whose decorated careers in the RAF provide them with inspirational stories to share with event audiences. Figures like Sasha Nash speak on how calm thinking, rapid decision-making and disciplined preparation have a positive impact on personal and professional life.

For expert guidance on who the top RAF speakers are to hire, read this exclusive selection of the Official Best Red Arrows Speakers to Hire. Alternatively, if you seek a speaker who has served in another arm of the military, read this official selection of the 10 Best Military Motivational Speakers in the UK.

Contact The Female Motivational Speakers Agency today to hire decorated military figures, like Dr Jo Salter MBE, Mandy Hickson and Brigadier Nicky Moffat CBE, for your next event. Call one of our dedicated booking agents on 0203 9158 282 or complete our online contact form to begin the hiring process.