The Space Partnership Board is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Joanna Hart as the Space Partnership Director. The Space Partnership brings together industry, academia and government to work together on priority and strategic issues to realise the ambition set out in the National Space Strategy (NSS) to grow the UK space sector.
The new independent Director will work with stakeholders from across the whole space ecosystem to draw on expert knowledge and insight. With a small, focussed team of dedicated experts supported by contributions from across the sector, the Space Partnership will deliver activities that require a whole-of-sector approach. The Space Partnership has received initial funding from the UK Space Agency, is hosted by the Satellite Applications Catapult and reports to the Space Partnership Board.
Prof. Mark Sims (University of Leicester) and Prof. Kate Robson Brown (University of Bristol), co-chairs of Space Academic Network (SPAN) said: “Securing the UK’s position as a science superpower requires bringing the wealth of expertise, insight and cutting-edge research and training across the UK to the fore. Joanna’s recent experience working at UK Research and Innovation will ensure that academic input is leveraged within the Space Partnership.”
John Hanley, Chair of UKspace, said: “The UK has a thriving space sector, which is well-established and globally respected, employing 47,000 people. Establishing the Space Partnership is an essential part of bringing the research base and Government alongside industry to shape the next steps towards delivery of the National Space Strategy.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Space at the new Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, George Freeman, said: “The UK’s £16.5bn space sector is built on deep collaboration between our academic space science community and space & satellite industry. We set up the Space Partnership to co-ordinate a coherent sector voice. Under Dr Hart’s leadership, the Space Partnership will continue to bring our emerging space sector leaders together to help deliver our mission to develop the UK’s role as a global leader in space science, technology, investment and regulation.”
Graham Peters, Space Partnership Board Chair, said: “The competition to recruit this role attracted an incredibly strong and diverse field of candidates, I would like to thank all those who took the time to apply. Joanna will bring sector knowledge combined with new energy and enthusiasm to drive the priority initiatives that can only be successful when all the key stakeholders work together in lockstep.”
Joanna Hart said: “I am excited to be taking on this role at a pivotal time for the UK space sector. The Space Partnership will bring academia, industry and Government together to deliver on the ambition set by the National Space Strategy. Engagement across the UK will be my first priority to ensure the strengths, expertise and capabilities of all stakeholders are leveraged.”