Westminster Business Forum

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Priorities and next steps for the UK space sector

Morning, Thursday, 14th December 2023


This conference will examine next steps for the UK space sector.


It is bringing together stakeholders and policymakers to assess plans and ambitions outlined in the National Space Strategy in Action policy paper published by DSIT and the MOD.


Delegates will analyse implications for key stakeholders and issues for implementation as the UK continues with implementation of the National Space Strategy.


They will also examine priorities for skills, investment and supporting further growth and sector development. We expect discussion on providing policy guidance and confidence for industry and investors involved in putting in place both civil and defence-orientated capabilities, as well as competition within the sector, and access for start-ups and new entrants.


Further sessions look at key areas for research and international collaborative agreements, building upon the UK’s competitive advantages, and advancing UK international positioning in science and exploration, commercial applications, and addressing wider global challenges.


We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with: Dr Kathy Bass, Deputy Director, Space Strategy, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; Craig Brown, Investment Director, UK Space Agency; Elizabeth Quintana, Head of Space and Science, Ofcom; Colin MacLeod, Head of UK Spaceflight Regulation, Civil Aviation Authority; Neil Rae, Head of UK Space, KPMG; Dr Heidi Thiemann, Co-Founder & Director, Space Skills Alliance; Pam Underwood, Director, Office of Spaceports, Federal Aviation Administration; and James Cemmell, Vice President of Government Relations, Inmarsat.


Sessions in the agenda include:

  • National Space Strategy in Action: Space Sector Plan implementation - what it means for key stakeholders - government priorities moving forward - key issues for regulation
  • Workforce: achieving a skilled and diverse space sector - key roles - education, training and careers guidance - building the talent pipeline - developing a coordinated approach
  • Sector growth: scale and application of government investment - attracting private finance and developing investor confidence - support for innovation and collaborative research frameworks
  • Collaboration: UK and European space programmes moving forward - next steps for developing research relationships - commercial, higher education and governmental partnerships
  • International competitiveness: advancing the UK’s global position - strategies for international leadership - leveraging UK competitive advantages

The conference will be an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who are due to attend from DBT; DESNZ; DfT; DSIT; Dstl; FCDO; GLD; GO-Science; HM Treasury; MOD; NAO; Ofcom; UKSA; and the Welsh Government.



Keynote Speakers

Colin MacLeod

Head of UK Spaceflight Regulation, Civil Aviation Authority

Craig Brown

Investment Director, UK Space Agency

Dr Kathy Bass

Deputy Director, Space Strategy, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Dr Heidi Thiemann

Co-Founder and Director, Space Skills Alliance

Pam Underwood

Director, Office of Spaceports, Federal Aviation Administration

Elizabeth Quintana

Head of Space and Science, Ofcom

James Cemmell

Vice President of Government Relations, Inmarsat

Neil Rae

Head of UK Space, KPMG

Keynote Speakers

Elizabeth Quintana

Head of Space and Science, Ofcom

Colin MacLeod

Head of UK Spaceflight Regulation, Civil Aviation Authority

Craig Brown

Investment Director, UK Space Agency

Dr Kathy Bass

Deputy Director, Space Strategy, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Dr Heidi Thiemann

Co-Founder and Director, Space Skills Alliance

James Cemmell

Vice President of Government Relations, Inmarsat

Neil Rae

Head of UK Space, KPMG

Pam Underwood

Director, Office of Spaceports, Federal Aviation Administration

Chairs

Chi Onwurah MP

Shadow Minister, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Lord David Willetts

Vice-Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group for Space

Speakers

Joanne Wheeler

Chair, Satellite Finance Network

Professor Leslie Budd

Professor of Regional Economy, The Open University

Hira Virdee

Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lumi Space

John Hanley

Chair, UKspace

Andrew Stanniland

UK Chief Executive Officer, Thales Alenia Space

Katherine Courtney

Chair, Global Network on Sustainability in Space

Keval Dattani

Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Space Power

John Worthy

Head of Satellite and Space Projects, Fieldfisher

Stuart Naylor

Director of International Engagement, Satellite Applications Catapult