Michael Watton, venue director at Farnborough International, has announced he will take an early retirement after five years at the venue.

Watton has played an important role in the transformation of Farnborough International having been part of the planning, opening and subsequent operation of its new £30m events venue. Watton built a strong team around him, made up of experienced event professionals who have worked to establish the event, venue and filming side of our business nationally and internationally.

The new facility at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre is open for business.

At 20,000sqm, and able to accommodate up to 10,000 guests, this £30m purpose-built centre brings new, modern event space to market for organisers.