Senior military experts from Canada, Germany, the UK and the United States will be giving their perspectives on the contemporary training scene at the opening session of ITEC, Europe’s premier conference and exhibition for military training, education and simulation technology and services. The event takes place at ExCeL London from 18-20 May 2010.
This conference session, known as the Senior Officers Panel, has become firmly established as one of the highlights of ITEC. This year’s keynote address will be given by Lieutenant General Paul Newton, who assumes command of Force Development and Training in April 2010 where he will be responsible for individual and collective training, and concepts and doctrine for the British Army.

On the panel will be Rear Admiral Chris Snow, who assumed the post of Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) in February 2009.  As FOST, Rear Admiral Snow provides Operational Sea Training for all surface ships, submarines and Royal Fleet Auxiliaries of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. Representing the United States Navy is Vice Admiral Mark Ferguson, who assumed duties as the chief of naval personnel in April 2008.  Serving concurrently as the deputy chief of naval operations (Manpower, Personnel, Training & Education), Vice Admiral Ferguson is responsible for the planning, programming and assignment of all manpower, personnel, training and education resources for the United States Navy.

The German perspective will be given by Brigadier General Volker Barth, Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces Office, and Commander of the Bundeswehr Schools and Director of Joint Training for German Federal Armed Forces, while completing the line-up is Vice Admiral Bruce Donaldson, who assumed command of Canada Command in May of 2009.  As Commander, Vice Admiral Donaldson is responsible for all domestic and continental Canadian Forces operations in North America and its approaches.