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Air Marshal Sir Barry Thornton has been appointed Managing Director Designate of Ascent Flight Training, which is partnering with the Ministry of Defence to deliver the United Kingdom Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS).
Sir Barry will join Ascent, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and VT Group, at the end of September after leaving the RAF. He will work alongside the current Managing Director Fred Ross, who will leave Ascent to return to the United States once the handover is complete.
Mr Ross explained: “Barry’s experience and excellent reputation will be a real asset to Ascent as we continue to implement UKMFTS and build upon the significant milestones that we have achieved in our first year.”
Sir Barry has served as a senior commander within the RAF and has a proven track record including appointments as Commander-in-Chief Personnel and Training Command and board membership of the Defence Procurement Agency and Defence Logistics Organisation.
He has held four appointments on the Air Force Board and has just finished serving in the post of Chief of Materiel (Air) on the Board of the Defence Equipment and Support organisation.
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