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Sterling Training is delighted to welcome David Pardy MBE and James Askew to our team, further strengthening our long-standing expertise in defence, military leadership and international training delivery.
Together, David and James bring around 80 years of combined experience from distinguished careers in the UK Armed Forces and international defence environments. Their extensive operational, leadership and training backgrounds reinforce Sterling Training’s commitment to delivering practical, credible and world-class learning experiences.
A wealth of Military and International experience
David Pardy MBE is an experienced leader, trainer and mentor whose career has spanned the British Army, the UK Defence Academy and senior international advisory appointments.
During his military career, David commanded teams in the UK and overseas, including serving as Commanding Officer of 26 Engineer Regiment and British Defence Attaché to Kuwait. He later held senior advisory roles in Oman, working closely with military and defence education organisations.
A passionate advocate of learning and development, David has delivered the Advanced Command and Staff Course at Master’s level for multinational military officers and civil servants, designed bespoke training programmes and mentored postgraduate students. A qualified Royal Engineers Training Instructor, he was awarded both the Haynes Medal for Best Instructor and a Best Instructor Award on the Skill at Arms Instructor course.
David holds an MSc in Disaster Management with Distinction, a Master of Defence Administration and an Executive Diploma in Strategic Management. He was awarded an MBE for services to the UK Armed Forces in Germany and Kosovo.
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James Askew is a former British Army officer with 40 years of leadership experience, having led military, civilian and multinational teams across the UK and internationally.
Throughout his career, James has worked with around 40 partner nations, providing him with a unique breadth of experience in leadership, management and communication across diverse cultures and operating environments. Passionate about developing people and building high-performing teams, he specialises in leadership, management, communication, planning and team development.
His engaging, learner-centred approach encourages participation, challenges delegates to think differently and ensures every session is practical, relevant and enjoyable. Whether working with corporate organisations or military personnel, James is committed to helping individuals and teams develop the confidence and skills needed to perform at their very best.
Supporting International Training Excellence
David and James bring extensive experience of working across cultures and international environments, making them a natural fit for one of Sterling Training’s signature programmes, Training International Learners and Trainees (TILT).
Designed for instructors working with learners who speak English as a second or third language, TILT provides specialist tools and techniques to help trainers overcome language barriers, navigate cultural differences and create highly effective learning environments. The programme has been developed and refined through delivery to thousands of trainers since 2016 and helps organisations improve engagement, participation and learning outcomes when working with international audiences.
Demonstrating the immediate impact of this expertise, James recently completed Sterling Training’s TILT Train the Trainer programme and will travel to Oman later this month to deliver a seven-day leadership course for the Royal Oman Police. This marks an exciting opportunity to further support international training capability and strengthen relationships with overseas partners.
Looking Ahead
Commenting on the appointments, Emma said:
“Our military heritage has always been an important part of Sterling Training’s identity, and we’re delighted to welcome David and James to the team. Their combined experience, credibility and passion for developing people is exceptional. They bring a wealth of practical insight from leadership, international engagement and training delivery, which will be of enormous value to our clients and delegates. We are excited to see the positive impact they will make both in the UK and internationally.”
We are proud to welcome David and James to Sterling Training and look forward to supporting even more organisations with their expertise, experience and commitment to developing world-class people.