Farnborough’s Aerospace Global Forum reveals first speakers for 2026
The Aerospace Global Forum has named the first speakers for its 2026 edition, setting the stage for one of the most senior cross-sector programmes to run alongside this year’s Farnborough International Airshow.
Taking place from 20 to 24 July 2026 at the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, the forum will bring together leaders from aerospace, aviation, defence, finance, government, space and emerging technology.
Who is speaking at the Aerospace Global Forum at Farnborough International Airshow 2026?
Aerospace Global Forum 2026 will run across four summit programmes at Farnborough International Airshow: the Finance Summit, Airline Leaders’ Summit, Defence Summit and Technology Summit.
The first confirmed speaker line-up spans government, aviation, defence, finance, space and emerging technology, reflecting the forum’s cross-sector focus.
Confirmed speakers include Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence and Space; Dr Benedetta Berti, Secretary General of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly; Luis Gallego, CEO of IAG and Chair of the IATA Board; Captain Nasaruddin A. Bakar, President and Group CEO of Malaysia Aviation Group; and Carlos Garcia-Galan, NASA Moon Base Program Executive.
The line-up also includes senior finance and investment figures such as Cathal Deasy, Global Co-Head of Investment Banking at Barclays; Dr Matt Spence, Head of Venture Capital, Investment Bank, Barclays; Lord Mark Sedwill, Chair of Geopolitical Advisory at Rothschild & Co; Louis Taylor, CEO of the British Business Bank; and Oliver Holbourn, CEO of the National Wealth Fund.
Other confirmed participants include:
- Baroness Wheatcroft, journalist, broadcaster and member of the House of Lords
- Dr George Nield, Chair, GSA
- Chris Skilton, Director Consulting Expert – Secure Space Systems, CGI
- Enrique Lizaso, CEO, Multiverse Computing
- Marco Zoff, CEO, Edge Wing
- Jeremy Berwick, Global Aerospace, Defence and Security Industries Leader, PA Consulting
- Iain Martin, Founder, London Defence Conference
- Samira Braund, Director – Defence, ADS Group
- Rory Chamberlain, UK Managing Director, UKRSPECSYSTEMS
- Steven Townend, Managing Director and CEO, BOC Aviation
- Jo Coburn, former BBC presenter and journalist
- Mark Pilling, industry journalist
- Karina Robinson, CEO of Redcliffe Advisory and Founder of The City Quantum & AI Summit
Although further programme details are still to be announced, the first speaker list points to a forum shaped by some of the industry’s biggest strategic questions: how aerospace is financed, how airlines adapt, how defence capability evolves, and how technologies such as AI, quantum computing and secure space systems move into operational use.
Farnborough 2026 builds its strategic forum programme
The Aerospace Global Forum will run alongside Farnborough International Airshow 2026, which is already being positioned as the largest and most international edition of the event to date.
The 2024 edition welcomed more than 100,000 visitors, 1,500 exhibitors from more than 60 countries, and more than 420 civil, military and space delegations. For 2026, Farnborough International has already sold out its original exhibition space and added a new hall to accommodate further demand.
The show is also expected to have its largest international footprint yet. Organisers have said 114 countries will be represented, with 63% of exhibitors coming from outside the UK and 26 international pavilions confirmed.
Alongside the AGF programme, Farnborough International Airshow 2026 will also feature the Aerospace Global News Theatre, AGN’s dedicated conference stream at the show. The theatre will provide another platform for conversations with industry leaders, innovators and decision-makers across aerospace, aviation, defence, space and advanced technology.
The wider 2026 event is also drawing stronger government, finance and space participation. The UK Government has confirmed its largest-ever presence at Farnborough, while the launch of the Aerospace Global Forum: Finance Summit has brought new focus to the role of capital in scaling aerospace, defence and space innovation.
Further speakers and programme details for AGF 2026 are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Trade visitor ticket sales for Farnborough International Airshow 2026 are already open, with prices starting from £63 plus VAT.
Featured image: FIA
