The Innovation
Growth Team for Space will be chaired by Andy Green (CEO of
Logica) and has been formed to create a 20 year strategy for
British leadership in space. It will seek views from the entire
space industry, and industries such as entertainment, navigation
and climate change that rely on space technology. It will set out
the challenges and opportunities that govern future value
creation, competitiveness and growth in the space sector.
Our world relies on space technology for a wide range of
services, from monitoring the effects of climate change and
weather forecasting to telecoms services and satellite navigation.
Space creates high value R&D, manufacturing and skills for
the UK economy that the Government’s recent strategy on New
Industry New Jobs outlined as the foundation for future UK
success. New Industry New Jobs called for a more strategic
approach to UK industrial policy in the future - focusing on those
industries that will drive discovery and economic growth in this
century.
The Space IGT’s work will contribute to that strategic approach,
with industry and Government working together to shape the future
success of the sector.
The Space IGT will draw on leadership experience from some of
Britain’s top space companies. It will identify the future
innovation, technology and investment priorities for the sector
and other enablers of growth. The group will also seek to create a
“space aware” culture in the UK with a space career path being
defined for students wishing to enter the sector. In addition it
will consider how to ensure that government policy is better
aligned to meet the future needs of the industry.
Making the announcement at Inmarsat, Science and Innovation
Minister Lord Drayson said:
“Britain is a global leader in space. This initiative will help
to keep us there”
Andy Green, CEO of Logica and Chairman of the Space Innovation
and Growth Team added:
“Space is one of the few sectors in the UK economy that is
enjoying almost double digit growth[1] and
has the potential to do so for decades to come. We will set out
ways to help the sector on its upwards trajectory, by ensuring
that Britain has the necessary skills and policy framework, and a
climate that fosters innovation.”
The Space IGT is expected to announce preliminary findings at the
end of the year with the full report being published in early
2010.
1. The following space companies, institutions and government
departments are already involved in the Space IGT:
Avanti PLC; British Association of Remote Sensing Companies;
British National Space Centre; Comdev; Cobham; Department for
Business, Innovation and Skills; EADS Astrium; EEDA, EMDA,
European Space Agency, e-skills UK; Imperial College of London;
Inmarsat; Intellect; Logica PLC; Ministry of Defence; National
Space Centre; NPL; Permira; QinetiQ; Reaction Engines; Rutherford
Appleton Laboratories; SBAC; SciSys; SEA; SEEDA; Surrey Satellites
Technology Limited; Technology Strategy Board; Thales; UKspace;
VEGA; Virgin Galactic.
2. Membership of the IGT will grow significantly as the working
structures become established. The Space IGT website is at www.intellectuk.org/spaceigt
and e-mail for comments or suggestions is SpaceIGT@bis.gsi.gov.uk
3. The British National Space Centre (BNSC) is at the heart of UK
efforts to explore and exploit space. BNSC is a partnership of six
Government Departments, two Research Councils, the Met Office and
the Technology Strategy Board. It co-ordinates UK civil space
activities and represents UK interests at the European Space
Agency and to other international space organisations. For more
information, visit www.bnsc.gov.uk
BIS press office contact
Josh Coe – Phone 020 7215 5963, email Joshua.coe@bis.gsi.gov.uk
Logica press office contact
Anna Brog– phone: m: +44 (0) 7595 612 269, email: anna.brog@logica.com
BNSC press office contact
Clair Passelle – phone: 01793 418072, email: clair.passelle@bis.gsi.gov.uk