The Team

Paul Everitt is Chairman of Farnborough International and Chief Executive of ADS Group, FIL’s parent company and the national trade association for the UK’s aerospace, defence, space and security industries. He is well known across Westminster, Whitehall and Brussels for his work championing UK manufacturing.

Paul has a longstanding relationship with FIL, his earlier career was spent with SBAC – the forerunner to ADS – where he was Director of Civil Air Transport and Communications. Notable achievements during his time with SBAC include the launch of the world’s first sustainable aviation strategy; helping establish the pro-aviation campaign group FlyingMatters, and overseeing SBAC activities at the Farnborough International Airshow.

Paul is chairman of the CBI’s Trade Association Council and a board member of ASD, the European trade association for aerospace, defence, space and security. He was previously Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Beth Henson joined the SBAC and FIL in 2008, bringing with her over 15 years’ experience in Human Resources, drawn from a spectrum of industry posts including events, hospitality and manufacturing, alongside a strong background in social work.

With people playing such a pivotal role in the successful growth of FIL and its services, Beth acts as the kingpin for attracting the very best talent to FIL in order to deliver outstanding results as a team.

She was instrumental in the merger of the SBAC and DMA in 2010, taking the lead on all HR aspects. Beth also holds a keen interest in change management and HR Infrastructure and supports the highly successful ‘Good Schools Guide’ in an HR advisory capacity.

A keen sportsperson, Beth enjoys running and keeping fit and enjoys the company of friends and family. She has two sons and lives in Hampshire.

Michael Watton joined FIL in February 2016 with the specific responsibility of developing the £30m Phase 2 project, scheduled to open in early 2018.

With an events industry career spanning over 25 years, Michael has worked in commercial roles in some of the world’s most recognised venues, enabling FIL to benefit from his vast experience.

Prior to joining FIL, Michael helped develop venues as diverse as the International Convention Centre and NEC in Birmingham, where he became Sales Director in 2006, The Dubai World Trade Centre from 2009 to 2012 and most recently at Bluewater in Kent. During his career, Michael has worked with event organisers in all sectors of the industry, including exhibitions, conferences, corporate events, sport and live entertainment, and on events including The British International Motor Show, Clotheshow Live, MACH, Gulfood and Arab Health.

Keith Greetham joined FIL to assist the Executive Team on its planned development of the venues in Farnborough that will help propel FIL even further as an international centre of excellence.

With an invaluable breadth of knowledge and expertise gained from over 35 years in the exhibition industry, Keith will prove invaluable as the business moves forward with its plans to create the new, permanent onsite exhibition facilities.

Keith’s three decades span across roles including Group Managing Director at Reed Exhibitions in the early 1990s and Chief Executive at exhibition and event supplier, Opex. He was a founding member of the team that developed the UK's premier international venue, Excel, from its initial funding through to full time Commercial Director.

Currently Chairman of Southwater Events Group, Keith is also involved in his own industry ventures including Professional Events and is on the board of several venues and event related businesses which includes The International Centre and D2i Systems.

John Turner joined FIL as Non Executive Director bringing with him unparalleled experience of governance and supervision in the aviation arena.

Director of the Military Aircraft Division for BAE Systems, John managed the corporate governance of the organisation with wide ranging responsibilities. His role covered the organisation's flying and airfield operations world-wide, alongside its UK flight test activities and associated airfield operations, under both UK CAA and MoD regulation.

John boasts extensive experience of flight testing as a lead test pilot on Tornado, Hawk, Eurofighter / Typhoon, BAe146 and Nimrod MRA4.  John has displayed Hawk and Eurofighter / Typhoon at a number of international air shows, including the first fully aerobatic Eurofighter display at the FIA in 1996 and for the Typhoon name launch at FIA in 1998. Subsequently, he has displayed a wide variety of vintage aircraft from the World War I Bristol Fighter F2B to the 1940’s Avro C-19 airliner at Shuttleworth Trust’s Old Warden airfield and elsewhere in UK.

John has worked on air show Flying Control Committees since 1990 and as Chairman of the Flying Control Committee of Farnborough International Airshow since 2010.

Robin Southwell, joined the board at FIL in 2009 and his knowledge and insight into the UK aerospace and defence market have made him a valued addition to the board.

ADS President and CEO of EADS UK, Robin’s long and illustrious career history includes groundbreaking roles. He held positions as CEO of AirTanker Ltd (a consortium of EADS, Cobham, Rolls-Royce, Thales and VT Group) where, under his leadership, he secured the largest PFI in history. He has also been Chief Executive Officer at WS Atkins and Group Managing Director of Customer Solutions and Support at BAE Systems.

As well as an NED at FIL, Robin is Chairman of Quest Aviation Services, Concord Ltd and Airbase Group Ltd. He is also a Trustee of the RAF Museum, a Governor of Parkside School and was appointed by the Prime Minister, David Cameron, as a UK Business Ambassador.

Gareth joined FIL at the start of 2018 following more than six years with Southampton Football Club, first as Chief Financial Officer before being promoted to Chief Executive in 2014. 

Under Gareth’s leadership Southampton FC saw a significant rise in turnover and considerable commercial success driven by a number of factors including a focus on achieving growth across existing revenue streams, and the negotiation of major sponsorship deals. During Gareth’s time with the Club, Southampton secured promotion to the Premier League and qualified for European competition.      

Southampton FC was the only club listed in the 2017 Financial Times 1000 Fastest Growing European Businesses, and in 2015 was named ‘Fastest Growing Brand in World Football’ by Brand Finance. 

In 2015, Gareth was named ‘Director of the Year for Large Companies’ (London and South East) by the Institute of Directors.

Gareth is a chartered accountant with a first-class honours degree in Economics and Accounting; he began his career with a five-year tenure at KPMG. 

Originally from Yorkshire, Gareth moved south to attend Southampton University. He is married with three children.