Meet Jo Salter MBE
Breaking Barriers: Jo Salter MBE, Pioneering Aviator and Transformative Leader
When The Exchange welcomed Dr. Jo Salter MBE in March 2025, our community welcomed the rare opportunity to learn from a true pioneer whose career trajectory has soared from breaking the sound barrier to breaking glass ceilings.
As the UK's first female fast jet pilot, Jo's story of determination and excellence offered powerful lessons for legal operations professionals navigating their own challenging landscapes.
From Tornado Pilot to Transformation Leader
Jo's remarkable journey began at just 18, when she joined the Royal Air Force with initial plans to become an engineering officer. When policy changes opened the door for women to pilot jet aircraft, Jo seized the opportunity, earning her wings in 1992 and completing her fast jet training by year's end.
Her achievement as a Flight Lieutenant of the prestigious 617 Squadron flying the formidable Panavia Tornado wasn't just a personal milestone—it represented a fundamental shift in a field traditionally dominated by men.
Translating Military Excellence to Corporate Innovation
What makes Jo's perspective particularly valuable for our community is how she's translated the precision, resilience, and leadership skills developed in high-stakes military environments to the corporate world.
Currently serving as PwC's Global Advisory GenAI Lead, Jo is at the forefront of ensuring responsible and ethical implementation of artificial intelligence technologies. Her focus on establishing governance frameworks and ethical standards for AI implementation mirrors many of the challenges legal operations professionals face when introducing new technologies.
Why Jo's Perspective Matters for Legal Operations
Jo's career exemplifies several themes directly relevant to our community:
Breaking Through Established Frameworks: Just as Jo challenged conventional thinking about gender roles in aviation, legal operations professionals are reimagining traditional approaches to legal service delivery.
Navigating High-Stakes Decision-Making: Whether in the cockpit or the boardroom, Jo understands how to maintain clarity and focus when the consequences matter.
Leading Technological Transformation: Her current work guiding ethical AI implementation offers valuable insights for legal teams navigating their own technology adoption journeys.
Building Resilience: From military service to corporate leadership, Jo has consistently demonstrated how to thrive under pressure—an essential skill in today's fast-paced legal landscape.
Jo’s chosen Podcast for discussion:
The Exchange podclub is designed for legal operations professionals who want to improve the delivery of legal services through innovation, connection, and idea-sharing. Each monthly session features thought-provoking content selected by our guest speaker, followed by facilitated discussion and networking.
