The Space Partnership brings together industry, academia and government to identify shared priorities and agree collective action to ensure the ambition in the National Space Strategy (NSS) is realised. The Space Partnership Board empowers the Space Partnership Director, Dr Joanna Hart, to deliver on this mission by providing clear direction as well as advice and oversight.
The Space Partnership Board has equal voting representation across the three stakeholder groups (industry, academia and government) to ensure fairness as shared priorities are identified and collective action agreed. The non-voting Independent Chair ensures that the Board achieves this. As Independent Chair, Graham Peters, has led the establishment of the Space Partnership and guided the Board through the initial phases. Now that the Board is fully operational, it is time for the Space Partnership to seek a new Independent Chair through an open and transparent process.
The Space Partnership Board is looking to reach across and beyond the space sector to find a passionate individual with significant experience of Chairing meetings that cover a range of detailed topics and has demonstrated an ability to bring together different stakeholder groups to reach a consensus. The Space Partnership Independent Chair will work closely with the Space Partnership Director to ensure that the Board meetings are effective and the Space Partnership delivers on its potential to ensure that collectively the space sector reaches the ambition laid out on the NSS.
Kathy Bass, Deputy Director, Department for Science Innovation & Technology thanked outgoing Independent Chair, Graham Peters. “Graham has done a great job of advocating for the Space Partnership to be a neutral forum where difficult discussions can take place. His energy and enthusiasm has led to establishment of the Space Partnership, appointment of Joanna as Director and the effective management of the Space Partnership Board. On behalf of the sector, I would like to thank him for all his efforts.”
John Hanley, Chair, UKspace trade association, noted the importance of this recruitment process. “The UK space industry spans the entire country and the whole of the space value chain. We are keen to receive applications from outstanding individuals who have a good understanding of business opportunities and how they coincide with academic and government interests. We need a skilled Chair who can bring together the sector’s diverse stakeholder groups and steer what could be challenging conversations to a conclusion that leads to collective action focused on achieving the objectives of the National Space Strategy and driving industrial growth.”
Professor Katharine Robson-Brown, Co-Chair, Space Academic Network (SPAN) highlighted the challenge facing the new Independent Chair. “Academia is a single word, but represents a wealth of knowledge and expertise across a wide range of areas. The successful individual will need to ensure that all stakeholders feel heard and represented before any decisions on collective action are agreed.”
The application process opens today and closes on Thursday 30 November and is being managed through the Satellite Applications Catapult. For more details on how to apply, please visit our careers platform >>
