Transforming our future: the UK's space sector

Professor Sheila Rowan FRS is the Chair of Natural Philosophy at the University of Glasgow and Physical Secretary and Vice-President of the Royal Society. Since 2009, Professor Rowan has been Director of the Institute for Gravitational Research at the University of Glasgow’s School of Physics and Astronomy. Her research contributed to one of the most significant scientific breakthroughs of this century: the first detection of gravitational waves announced in February 2016. This resulted in a share of the 2016 Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics for her and the members of her team in Glasgow. She received the Hoyle Medal and Prize of the IOP in 2016, the Harold Hartley Medal of the Institute of Measurement and Control in 2020 and was made a CBE in 2021. She received the (inaugural) Philip Leverhulme Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. Sheila served from 2018 - 24 on the Council of the Science and Technology Facilities Council, latterly as its Senior Independent Member and Co-Chair. From 2016 - 21 she was the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Scottish Government, and from 2021 - 23 served as President of the Institute of Physics (IoP). She is currently the Deputy Chair of the Strategic Advisory Board for the UK National Quantum Technology Program.

Over a thirty-five career, David Parker has become one of the UK’s leading space programme experts. Following engineering roles in industry studying new astrophysics and planetary missions, he later secured UK leadership for projects such as Aeolus and LISA Pathfinder. Joining the Research Councils in 2004 to represent the UK in ESA’s science and exploration programmes, he helped create the UK Space Agency in 2010, becoming its Chief Executive in 2013. As a Director of ESA (2016-23), he established its space exploration programme and doubled its budget. Now a visiting Professor at the University of Southampton, he consults for ESA and is a non-executive member of the UK Space Agency’s Board. Holding a BSc in Aeronautics and Astronautics and a PhD sponsored by NASA, in 2019 he received the Royal Aeronautical Society’s Geoffrey Pardoe award for long and valued service to the space sector.

Louis leads the Science and Innovation, Education and Programme functions for the IOP, bringing an international background, with experience of emerging technologies and business innovation strategy. He is also executive lead for the Ecosystem Programme.

Stuart Martin is a highly accomplished figure in the UK space industry, best known for his tenure as CEO of the Satellite Applications Catapult from foundation in 2012 until stepping down in 2023. Under his leadership, the Catapult fostered innovation and growth within the space sector, promoting the use of satellite technology for a wide range of applications across many different industries.  Stuart’s expertise lies in strategy development and innovation, and he remains active supporting a number of space companies and related public bodies on the board or as an advisor.  Current roles include serving as a Board Member at the UK Space Agency, Chair of Trustees at the National Space Centre, Chair of Space Solar Ltd and Non-Exec Director of AAC Clyde Space.  Stuart is also Visiting Professor of Space Applications at Imperial College.

Professor Sheila Rowan FRS is the Chair of Natural Philosophy at the University of Glasgow and Physical Secretary and Vice-President of the Royal Society. Since 2009, Professor Rowan has been Director of the Institute for Gravitational Research at the University of Glasgow’s School of Physics and Astronomy. Her research contributed to one of the most significant scientific breakthroughs of this century: the first detection of gravitational waves announced in February 2016. This resulted in a share of the 2016 Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics for her and the members of her team in Glasgow. She received the Hoyle Medal and Prize of the IOP in 2016, the Harold Hartley Medal of the Institute of Measurement and Control in 2020 and was made a CBE in 2021. She received the (inaugural) Philip Leverhulme Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023. Sheila served from 2018 - 24 on the Council of the Science and Technology Facilities Council, latterly as its Senior Independent Member and Co-Chair. From 2016 - 21 she was the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Scottish Government, and from 2021 - 23 served as President of the Institute of Physics (IoP). She is currently the Deputy Chair of the Strategic Advisory Board for the UK National Quantum Technology Program.

Andrew was the Chief Executive Officer of Thales Alenia Space in the UK from 2019 to the end of 2024. Prior to Thales Alenia Space, Andrew was Vice President of Market Development and Strategy at Inmarsat where he led a global team in delivering the Global Government Business Unit’s strategy, resulting in growth and diversification of customer revenues and geographical reach.
He has a BEng in Aeronautical Engineering from Imperial College, London and has over 30 years’ experience in the Space industry, leading teams to design and sell complex solutions to government and defence customers across the world. Between 2022 and 2024, Andrew was on the ADS Trade Association Board as VP for Space and is now an advisory board member of the Earth Space Sustainability Initiative.

Chris is an Enterprise Expert at SETsquared Surrey, an incubator supporting spin outs and scale ups from all sectors, including space. He has been a Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Southampton, supporting academics and researchers in Space and Astronomy to commercialise their research work, potentially as spin out companies. As a former Head of Business Strategy at the Satellite Applications Catapult, he helped businesses to grow in the space sector, particularly through incubators and accelerators, and was previously Managing Director of a technology-based business producing portable solid-state hydrogen power sources for the aerospace, drone and automotive markets. He has also worked in two large corporates, QinetiQ and AEA Technology (formerly the UK Atomic Energy Authority).

His skills include leadership, business management, growth and business development, bid, programme, project and product management. He has a PhD in Physics.

I have worked for the Met Office for 38 years as a meteorologist, across a range of roles. Since 2010, I led the development of, and continue to lead, the space weather programme within the Met Office.

Met Office owns the space weather risk on the National Risk Register on behalf of the UK Government. Since 2014, Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre (MOSWOC) has delivered forecast services 24/7/365 to UK Government and CNI operators, as one of only two global guidance centres for space weather.

I have sat on a number of international committees and working groups including being co-chair of the ESA VIGIL Mission Advisory Group and a member of the US National Academies ‘Planning the future Research and Operations Space Weather Infrastructure’ committee.

Sharon joined Astroscale Ltd. in September 2020 to support the development of the Astroscale business in the UK and Europe. She is a senior leader with extensive experience and a strong reputation built up over 30 years. As Director for Government & Regulatory Affairs, Sharon leads on the company’s interaction with all levels of Westminster and relevant Government agencies as part of Astroscale’s commitment to getting licensing and regulation in place that will foster a sustainable space environment and market.

Sharon’s experience includes general management, strategic business development, driving companies from start up, through high growth and commercial development, senior customer account management, and business operations. Her experience also includes operational leadership for an international team of 500 staff.

Sharon regularly represents Astroscale and the in-orbit servicing industry in panel discussions on the value of a sustainable space environment and what we need to do to get there. 

Joanne is a leading international expert in the field of satellite and space law, policy, regulation, spectrum issues and commercial contracts, having worked at Ofcom, ESA, and for over 25 years in private legal practice in this area. She was awarded an MBE for services to the UK space industry, won the Financial Times European Legal Innovator of the Year award and is ranked Tier 1 in legal directories.

She is the Director of the Earth & Space Sustainability Initiative (ESSI), Chair of the Satellite Finance Network (SFN) and the Prospero Space Fellowship. She is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, the Royal Aeronautical Society and Deputy Chair of the National Space Centre. She was appointed as an honorary Professor by the University of Leicester.

Katie is the Assistant Chief Engineer for Space, running the Rolls-Royce Novel Nuclear Space Micro-Reactor programmes. During her ten years in Rolls-Royce Submarines she has specialised in nuclear Thermal Hydraulics, supporting performance assessments, core manufacturing and providing validation, rig testing and safety case support on a variety of programmes and nuclear plant designs. Throughout her time at Rolls-Royce, Katie has continued to run the Rolls-Royce maths tutoring scheme which she set up in 2016. The scheme sends over 90 volunteers a year from across Rolls-Royce into local Derby schools to support young people from more challenging backgrounds with their maths on a 1:1 basis. Not only is this the largest privately run STEM outreach programme in the UK but it is a great opportunity to inspire local students with what we are doing in Space nuclear and raise their confidence and ability to contribute.

Starting in 1979, Professor Sir Martin Sweeting pioneered rapid-response, low-cost and highly capable small satellites utilizing modern consumer microelectronics to change the economics of space and is widely regarded internationally as the ‘father of small satellites ’that has since led to ‘NewSpace’.

In 1985, he founded a spin-off University company (SSTL) that has designed, built, launched and operated in orbit 75 small satellites for communications, Earth observation, space science and space debris removal techniques – as well as 34 navigation payloads for the European Galileo constellation. SSTL has grown to ~400 staff with over £1.5bn in UK export earnings from some 25 international customers.

He is a distinguished professor at the University of Surrey Space Centre where he has supervised over 200 PhD students and has over 350 publications.

Sir Martin was knighted by HM the Late Queen in 2006. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Physics. 

Professor Gillian Wright CBE FRSE is a senior scientist at the UK Astronomy Technology Centre in Edinburgh and a visiting professor of the Institute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh.

She is a graduate of the University of Glasgow and obtained her PhD in physics from Imperial College. Professor Wright is European Principal Investigator of the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) on JWST, leading a European consortium that developed the instrument in partnership with JPL and the University of Arizona. Professor Wright was Director of the UK Astronomy Technology Centre from 2012 to 2024, and in this role she led the organization in programmes of instrumentation and technology development for astronomy missions and international observatories and a portfolio of projects that apply the techniques to other areas such as environmental monitoring and health. Alongside her research work, she is a strong supporter of public engagement in astronomy.  

Tomas Hrozensky is a Senior Researcher and Lead on European Engagement at ESPI and is a part of ESPI’s management team. He holds MA and PhD in international affairs from the Matej Bel University in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia. Tomas joined ESPI after previous roles in academia, NGO and government sectors. His experience includes being a Fulbright Scholar at the Space Policy Institute of the George Washington University, a researcher for the Space Security Index, chair of the Slovak Space Policy Association NGO, and member of Slovak delegation to the UN COPUOS.

Paul Bate has been CEO of the UK Space Agency since September 2021. He leads a team of more than 300 who provide the R&D funding to use space to increase prosperity across the world, protect the planet, and to understand the universe. 

Prior to space, Paul ran global sales at Babylon Health, which floated on the New York Stock Exchange in 2021, and built a consultancy business.

Paul was David Cameron’s senior health adviser in Downing Street and led on health targets and finances in Tony Blair’s Delivery Unit. Paul holds a PhD in Particle Physics.  

Professor Michele Dougherty CBE FRS FRAS is Executive Chair, Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Michele is a Fellow of the Royal Society and a Professor of Space Physics at Imperial College. She led unmanned exploratory missions to Saturn and Jupiter, was Principal Investigator of the magnetometer instrument onboard the Cassini mission to Saturn and is Principal Investigator of the magnetometer for the European Space Agency's JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) that launched in April 2023.

In addition to being awarded the Royal Astronomical Society Geophysics Gold medal, and a CBE in the New Year’s Honours List, Michele was also awarded the Institute of Physics Richard Glazebrook Gold Medal and Prize. She is President-Elect of the Institute of Physics and will formally take up the role of President in autumn 2025.

Professor Kate Robson Brown is Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact, at University College Dublin, Ireland. In this role she leads both UCDResearch (discovery and applied research) and NovaUCD (enterprise and commercial activities). She is Professor of Engineering Mathematics and Biological Anthropology. She is a member of the Ireland National Advisory Forum for Space Research,  Honorary Fellow of the Alan Turing Institute for Data Science and AI, President of the European Low Gravity Research Association,  ESA Human and Robotic Exploration Directorate advisor, co-chair of the UK Space Academic Network, and a Visiting Professor in Data Science at Strathmore University in Nairobi.  She is a Trustee of the Natural History Museum. Her research explores the computational modelling of the microstructure of living tissues and manufactured materials and their response to changing and extreme environments, including space. She has a collaborative ESA and UKSA funded experiment currently in orbit on the ISS.

Elizabeth Seward joined BAE Systems in 2022 and is Head of Space Strategy and Market Development, responsible for defining the strategic direction and market growth across defence and civil space. Elizabeth has over 20 years’ experience in the space sector. She was Senior Space Strategist at Airbus Defence and Space where roles included business development, marketing and communications, thermal engineering and future programmes design. Elizabeth was a founding member of the Women in Aerospace Europe UK local group. She is active in the International Astronautical Federation, sitting on several committees, and is a STEM outreach ambassador.

James Cemmell is Vice President, Institutional Partnerships at Open Cosmos, one of Europe's fastest growing space businesses.  With nearly 20 years' experience in the space sector, he has held leadership roles at the nexus of value creation and public policy.  James has an MBA from the University of Cambridge, Downing College and is a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, interested in space strategy and leveraging space for public benefit.

Baroness Catherine Ashton served as the European Union's first High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy between 2009 and 2014. On behalf of the UN Security Council, she coordinated negotiations that resulted in the nuclear programme agreement with Iran. She mediated the Brussels agreement between Serbia and Kosovo for which she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Previously she was EU Commissioner for Trade, served as a Minister in the Departments of Education and Justice, and was Leader of the House of Lords and President of HM Queen's Privy Council. Baroness Ashton is author of the book 'And then What?' She has received many awards, most recently the Order of the Garter, bestowed by HM King in June 2023. She is a member of the House of Lords Europe Committee and chairs the current inquiry into UK Engagement with Space.