John Thorton leads the IDeA's (The Improvement and Development Agency) e-government initiatives and champions the interestes of local government in meeting their online targets by 2005.

He closely works with local authorities, the Government's e-Envoy, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and other stakeholders to draw together the "key building blocks" of local e-government.

John was previously the Managing Director of the Institute of Public Finance where he transformed the organization into a substantial business providing support to over 1800 public service bodies. He has over 20 years experience of working with, and within, public services.

John is a member of CIPFA, holds an MBA, and is a fellow of the Institute of Directors.

Following other eminent speakers have been invited
(confirmation awaited in some cases)

• Mr. Alfred Revilak Asst. MD, Institute of knowledge Management, George Washington University, USA
• Mr Amitabh Singhal, Vice President, Global Telecom Ltd.
• Mr. Dhruv Singhal, Head of Technology, BEA Systems, India
• Mr K K Agarwal, Vice Chancellor, Indraprasth University, New Delhi
• Mr K N Gupta, Controller of Certifying Authority, Government of India, New Delhi
• Dr Kiran Bedi, IPS, Jt. Commissioner of Police (Special Branch), New Delhi
• Mr. M Moni, Dy. Director General, National Informatics Centre, New Delhi
• Mr. Prakash B Rane, Managing Director, ABM Knowledgeware Ltd.
• Mr R K Sinha, Chief General Manager, State Bank of India, Chandigarh
• Mr Rajeev Chawla , IAS, Addl. Secretary Revenue, Govt. of Karnataka
• Dr Rajesh Rajarora, IAS, District Collector, Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh
• Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Cabinet Minister for Rural Development & Panchayats,
  and Agriculture, Government of Punjab
• Mr Rakesh Khanna, Chief Operating Officer, Tarahaat , New Delhi
• Mr Sanjay Jaju, IAS, Commissionar, Municipal Corporation, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
• Mr Satish Jha, President, Digital Partners (India)
• Mr Vakul Sharma, Supreme Court Advocate & Cyber Law Consultant, New Delhi
• Mr. Vikas Munshi, Sr. Consultant, Safescrypt Ltd.
• Mr Y S Ratra, IAS, Chief Secretary to Government of Punjab