Adina is responsible for GHGSat business development and expansion in Europe. GHGSat is a Canadian company using its own satellites combined with other data to deliver greenhouse gas monitoring services for industrial facilities around the world.
She leads on European institutional engagement for GHGSat, as well as strategic business and research partnerships in Europe. While GHGSat is headquartered in Montreal, Adina is UK-based. She has worked in EO and New Space in the UK for nearly 15 years; most notably for DMCii, where she was responsible for the UK contribution to the International Charter for Space & Major Disasters, and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), where she supported companies and governments to develop cases for their own constellations of satellites.
Adina serves on various UK committees and advisory boards in support of the space sector.
Dr. Agnieszka Lukaszczyk is a Senior Director for European Affairs at Planet. A Polish/American national, has worked at the European Commission, Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, Space Data for Societal Challenges and Growth Unit. She also worked at the Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry, Space Policy and Research Unit. Before she joined the Commission, Agnieszka was the Brussels Office Director for the Secure World Foundation. In addition, she is the former Chairperson and the former Executive Director of the Space Generation Advisory Council in Support of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications. Agnieszka also worked at the European Space Policy Institute as a research fellow. Agnieszka serves as the Vice President - Europe for the World Space Week And Sits on the Board Of Directors for the Women in Aerospace-Europe. She obtained a PhD in Space Security at the Polish Univeristy of War Studies. She also holds a Master's degree from the Warsaw School of Economics in Management of Space in New Economies and a Master's degree from the American University School of International Service in International Politics plus a Bachelor degree in Political Science from the University of Tennessee. She also studied at the Universite Catholique de Louvain in Brussels, Belgium; the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland and the World Trade Institute in Berne, Switzerland. She gained professional experience at the Political Section of the Polish Embassy in Washington DC, American Electronics Association in Brussels, European Department of the Polish Senate in Warsaw and the Warsaw Business Journal.
Alex Gow is the Maxar sales lead for the UK, focussing on government and channel relationships. Alex joined Maxar (previously DigitalGlobe) in 2013 as a Solutions Engineer within the Earth Intelligence division, providing technical expertise across a range of geospatial applications. Prior to joining Maxar he has worked as a geologist in mineral exploration in British Columbia, Canada, running fieldwork campaigns and managing geospatial data acquisition and processing.
Alex Hutchison is the Director of the Data for Children Collaborative with UNICEF, based at The Data Lab – one of Scotland’s Innovation Centres. The Data for Children Collaborative a unique partnership between UNICEF, The Scottish Government and the University of Edinburgh. By leveraging expertise from each of the partner organisations, the Collaborative aims to address existing problems using innovative data science techniques and ultimately improve children’s lives. Focussing on a broad spectrum of issues affecting children, the Collaborative runs a portfolio of projects across themes, such as nutrition, mental health and COVID-19. As Director, Alex is responsible for the business plan, governance, project delivery, ethics and safeguarding and all related legal and communication activity relating to this partnership.
Alison is responsible for Marketing and Communications at Alcis Holdings Ltd, who provide geographic information services that enable better understanding of complex environments in fragile and conflict affected states. She has more than 20 years’ experience working in the technology sector for companies including IBM and Dell.
Alison is the Founder of Seeds for Development, a charity working directly with remote farming communities in the post-conflict region of northern Uganda. She is passionate about using appropriate technology to support development in the communities she supports.
Alison was awarded the MBE for services to Victims of War in Northern Uganda in the Queen's New Year Honours list 2019.
Anita leads Strategy and Execution activities at space startup KISPE Space Systems Limited, a specialist systems engineering, project execution and technology development company supporting the growth of capabilities and opportunities to enable teams to leverage the benefits of space and space-enabled systems and knowledge - and to make difficult challenges a reality. KISPE Space’s customers include startups and established organisations in the commercial, institutional and defence sectors, spanning activities and applications from launch services, Earth observation, communications and navigation through to operations and in-orbit servicing.
She is a member of the Board of Directors at nanosatellite pioneers AAC Clyde Space, which has spacecraft design, production, operations and Space as a Service capabilities in the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United States of America.
Anita is also an Honorary Group Captain in Royal Air Force 601 Squadron, providing space expertise to senior personnel in the Royal Air Force and Ministry of Defence.
She possesses an Aerospace Engineering Degree and an MBA, has published papers and presentations for all of the major space conferences and is a regular speaker on space industry developments and STEM. Anita was previously Director of Exploration Missions and Director of Spacecraft Platforms with Surrey Satellite Technology Limited.
Aravind is the founder of TerraWatch Space, an independent consultancy in the space industry, working on strategic assignments for space agencies, startups and investors. Previously, he was a Senior Consultant at the PwC Space Practice in France, working on strategic assignments and policy studies in the public and private sector. Aravind has over 8 years of international work experience in cross-functional roles including 5 years in the software industry. In addition, he also writes a fortnightly newsletter and hosts the TerraWatch podcast to demystify space technologies for those outside the 'space bubble'
Celia Davies is the CEO and Co-founder of Omanos Analytics, a space technology start-up using satellite imagery analysis to support local communities across the globe. Omanos’ systems synthesise satellite EO data with information from community representatives, local media, legal groups, and NGOs using a combination of automated and human analysis, to generate tailored data products that are accessible to non-scientists in variety of contexts - such as legal arbitration, research, government planning, or advocacy work. The company has provided support to communities from Guinea to Cambodia, working with a range of international NGOs on issues including forced displacement, destruction of livelihoods, and environmental degradation.
Prior to founding Omanos, Celia spent almost a decade living and working in the former Soviet Union, leading projects on media development and human rights.
Claire trained as a solicitor at Baker & McKenzie LLP. She joined the Civil Service in 2009 and has led policy and strategy development to improve NHS services, tackle organised crime and extremism, and deliver tax credits. Claire joined the UK Space Agency in 2016 to lead the Spaceflight Programme. She was appointed as Strategy Director in January 2020, to lead the Agency’s communications, engagement and research activities, and to support the development of a new Government national space strategy.
Geoff is Head of Marketing and Sales for space systems and services company Telespazio UK.
Geoff has a strong blend of business development, technical, management and innovation skills, and has extensive experience across the national and international space sector spanning domains of Earth Observation & Climate, Navigation, Satellite Communications, Launch, and Space Situational Awareness.
He is also the Space Specialist Group Vice-Chair and Fellow at the Royal Aeronautical Society, a member of the Satellite Applications Catapult Advisory Group, a Governing Board member of the Space4Climate Stakeholder Group, and a STEM Ambassador for the South-East of England.
Geoff has a 1st Class Honours degree in Mathematical Physics from the University of Warwick; a Master’s Degree in Theoretical Physics from the University of Cambridge; and a PhD in Astrophysics from the University of Durham.
Graham has been CEO at the UK Space Agency, an Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) since March 2017. Prior to this he led the Better Regulation Executive, a unit within BEIS. He holds a PhD in Particle Physics from Cambridge University for theoretical work at CERN.
Graham also holds a diploma in public administration from the École Nationale d’Administration (ENA). He has extensive experience across Whitehall and at a European level – a key priority for the Agency’s head. He has worked in the European Commission and held several other posts in the UK Civil Service with a strong European element, including the Treasury’s lead on the EU budget. Previously he has been the BEIS representative on the Met Office board while outside of work he is a trustee of the Youth Hostels Association and a keen cyclist.
Katherine is a NED, STEM Ambassador, former UK Space Agency CEO, Chair of the Global Network on Sustainability in Space, and founder of PrimarySpace.org – a charity engaging primary school teachers and pupils with STEM careers. She has 30+ years’ experience of business innovation, start-up and growth in the UK, Europe and other geographies; and nearly 15 years’ experience leading UK government policy and programmes. In her early executive career, she developed new ventures for Cable & Wireless, BT and a series of international tech start-ups. As a Senior Civil Servant, she led landmark UK Government tech-enabled transformation. At the UK Space Agency, she opened the UK market to commercial satellite launch and led €1.4bn investment in collaborative European space missions.
Mark Boggett is CEO of Seraphim Capital a London based venture firm. The team manage the Seraphim Space Fund, a pioneering $90m fund backed by a range of leading space corporates such as Airbus, SES and Telespazio seeking investments in space related start-ups. He is also director of Seraphim Space Camp an accelerator backed by Rolls Royce, DSTL, Inmarsat, ESA and UK Space Agency. Mark is a director of UK Space Tech Angels and is Chairman of the London Co-investment Fund – one of the most active seed stage tech investors in Europe. Prior to Seraphim he was at YFM Equity Partners serving on their main board for a number of years and working on the British Smaller Company VCT 1 and 2. He has a Degree in Accounting & Finance, MA in Economics & Finance from the University of Leeds and a range of professional investment qualifications.
Dr. Minoo Rathnasabapathy is a Research Engineer within the Space Enabled Research Group at the MIT Media Lab. In this role, she helps coordinate projects in collaboration with international development organizations, national governments and entrepreneurial companies to apply space technology in support of the Sustainable Development Goals. She also leads efforts in establishing the Space Sustainability Rating (SSR) in collaboration with the World Economic Forum and the European Space Agency.
Previously, Dr. Rathnasabapathy served as the Executive Director of the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC), a global non-governmental organization which acts in support of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications, based in Vienna, Austria. Dr. Rathnasabapathy was responsible for leading the operations, business development, strategy, and policy output for SGAC, a network that represents over 10,000 university students and young professionals in 110+ countries.
Dr. Rathnasabapathy earned her Ph.D in Aerospace Engineering from RMIT University, researching the impact dynamics of novel materials used in aerospace structures. Dr. Rathnasabapathy serves as a Vice President on the Bureau of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), is a member of the World Economic Forum Global Future Council on Space, and advisor to the Swarovski/Slow Factory OnexOne Initiative.
Mutembei Kariuki is a Kenyan Tech entrepreneur working to bring the benefits of AI in solving challenges in Africa at a start-up called Fastagger. He previously worked with the German Development Cooperation, GIZ as the Make-IT in Africa Tech Entrepreneurship Initiative Regional Coordinator – East Africa where supporting tech entrepreneurs in Africa.
Mutembei has been interested in technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership development and worked with the organization in Kenya, Austria, India, and Japan. He has been involved in social entrepreneurship through AIESEC and worked in Brazil, India, and The Philippines to support social enterprises with Potencia Ventures.
His passion for Technology then led him to Japan where he was part of the transfer of hazardous waste treatment technology to Kenya by building a partnership between Japanese companies, Kenya, and the Japanese governments. He also spent this time learning about emerging technologies such as Quantum computing, AI, the Internet of Things, and 3D printing that he believes will radically improve the quality of life for humanity. Mutembei holds degrees in Economics and Information Systems.
A fun fact is that he has been part of a social reality TV show called Imagine Afrika that took him to South Africa, Mozambique, and Rwanda and was broadcast in over 40 countries as part of an African Media initiative to combat HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Nick Kellett is the Founder & CEO of Deploy Solutions, which builds software using data from space. He has taken advantage of his programming skills to live and work around the world while following developments in the space sector for nearly 30 years. With technical expertise, business credentials, and a passion for space, Nick helps businesses do great things with space data. As well as his technical expertise, he has been writing online about space exploration since 2013 on his personal blog at https://blog.nicholaskellett.com.
Paul is Chief Technology Officer at the Satellite Applications Catapult, responsible for establishing a future vision for the sector and directing the technology strategy for the Catapult. Paul leads a small team of solutions architects and technologists that work across the Catapult to provide industry support in the creation and realisation of technologically innovative solutions to real world challenges.
Prior to joining the Catapult, Paul was Design Authority for the Inmarsat BGAN system and responsible for managing Inmarsat’s activities under the European Space Agency (ESA) ARTES (Advanced Research Telecommunications Systems) programme. This included the Alphasat-Extension programme to integrate advanced technologies into the Inmarsat systems, and the Iris programme under SESAR (Single European Skies Advanced Research) joint undertaking to develop the next generation of aviation safety services for air traffic management communications systems over Europe.
Paul previously worked for many years at BT Research Laboratories in Ipswich, developing mobile and satellite radio communications systems, advanced modulation and coding, data transmission protocols, and information security architectures.
As VP of Business Development for AAC Clyde Space, Peter is responsible for the sales and marketing of the company’s products and services, and for providing the business direction for the latest market growth areas as well as leading contract negotiations. In his previous role as Head of Business Development Mission & Services, Peter has contributed to the development of AAC Clyde Space’s Space as a Service offering.
Strategic Accounts Director - International Development
Satellite Applications Catapult
Peter Beaumont has spent his whole career in geospatial data technologies and joined the Satellite Applications Catapult as Director of Geospatial Intelligence and recently has taken on the role of Strategic Accounts Director, overseeing the Catapult’s activities in the International Development and Humanitarian sector. Outside of work Peter is a Trustee of MapAction, a global charity applying geospatial data and technologies to support humanitarian disasters.
Phil McLachlan FIET - Phil is a business and technology professional with over thirty years international management experience across the aerospace, defence and high technology industries. Phil is the CEO of D-CAT which he co-founded with two business partners in 2016. Prior to launching D-CAT Phil held senior leadership positions with major blue-chip high technology enterprises including Accenture where he led the Aerospace and Defence practice, QinetiQ, where he was the Divisional Managing Director responsible for technology commercialisation and venturing and the Royal Air Force where he served in a number of operational and MOD staff jobs specialising in ground to air missile systems, radar, air defence command and control and the UK MOD’s digitisation strategy. He is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology.
Ralph “Dinz” Dinsley is a retired RAF Officer with more than 33 years of service. A “Air Defender” by choice and “Space Surveillance and Tracking Practitioner” by chance his distinguished military career culminated in leading the UK MOD operational contribution to global Space Situational Awareness (SSA) in 2 significant programmes: the Combined Space Operations Initiative and the EU Space Surveillance and Tracking Framework. His unique military space experience was underpinned as a Chief of the Air Staff Fellow, with an MA in Peace and Development from Leeds Beckett University. His dissertation titled “Critical Perspectives on UK Space Security” explored the vulnerabilities and threats of space operations against past, present and future UK aspirations.
Dinz is the Founder and Executive Director of Northern Space & Security Ltd (NORSS). Incorporated in 2017, NORSS is a rapidly expanding SSA company based in Northumberland, England providing SSA support to governments, industry, and academia. With offices in Alnwick, Harwell and Durham NORSS is able to bring military grade space surveillance and tracking expertise to support both commercial and government space operations.
Dr Sara Venturini leads GEO’s work to advance the use of Earth observations in support of climate action by UN member countries and partners.
She has over 10 years' professional experience collaborating with UN bodies and advising governments and organisations on developing climate change adaptation policies, accessing climate finance, and participating in multilateral negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
As a climate change advisor, she has worked with countries in the Caribbean and Indian Ocean, the Western Balkans, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
She put her scientific expertise at the service of art projects, including the film anthology “Interdependence” that premiered at the Film Festival of Rome in 2019.
She holds a PhD in Climate Change Science and Management from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy
Sarah is Chief Operations Officer of Ecometrica - an Edinburgh based company that uses data from satellites and other sources to measure organisations' environmental impact. In her 6+ years at the company she has managed a range of projects that bring together cutting edge technology in space data and analytics, and thematic expertise in climate change and sustainable land management. These include global projects supporting national forest monitoring systems and sustainable supply chain monitoring, to local projects supporting sustainable forestry in Scotland.
Dr. Shawana P. Johnson, works with the US government and commercial space and geospatial companies spending time in Washington DC as well as globally; is a GISP (Certified Geographic Business Information System Professional) and a globally recognized geospatial intelligence expert supporting the US government and the global security and intelligence industries with market information focused on global commercial geospatial imagery assets from spaceborne to terrestrial based as well as the supporting cloud and high performance compute technology platforms and capabilities needed in order to utilize these geospatial assets and tools. Her application science areas of expertise are Energy, Agriculture, Water Resources, Maritime Security and Land Asset and Resource Planning. The knowledge she possesses about global commercial geospatial assets are utilized to provide secure environments in a broad range of applications from strategic planning for water resource management to global food security. Due to her expertise she has briefed the USG, Pentagon, White House Administration and other Federal Civil Agencies on the US Role and Standing in Commercial Space. She has supported the USG through the Multi-Intelligence Tradecraft Community of Practice, Community Innovation Exchanges – as the Lead Rapporteur and Commercial Space Lead and as a commercial geospatial subject matter expert providing Technical Exchange Meeting Research and Round Table Management for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. During 2019 and 2020 she has been part of a team for the US Air Force Academy developing input for Space Domain Awareness for Space Object Identification utilizing Hyperspectral Imagery and Advanced Deep Learning Analytics.
Temidayo Oniosun is the Managing Director for Space in Africa, a media, analytics and consulting company focusing on the African Space and Satellite Industry. He leads all operations of the company, including consulting services to governments and commercial companies in the African Space Industry value chain. Temidayo is a 2020 Karman Fellow and has a Master's degree in Satellite Applications from the University of Strathclyde.
Todd Simon is the founder of Geospatial Alpha, a global leader in stimulating innovation and investment in geospatial intelligence. He previously served as geospatial industry expert at London's DN Capital and as an advisor to the European Space Agency. He is a former senior technology investment banker with DLJ, Credit Suisse, and Oppenheimer, and has held executive and board positions with location technology companies including GroundTruth, the world’s largest mobile proximity intelligence company, and Gravy Analytics, the first geo-signals data cloud. Todd holds an MBA with Honors from Columbia Business School and a BA in Economics from Brandeis University.
COL (retired) Yvette C. Hopkins is an Executive with Shetland Space Centre focused on the Establishment of a Spaceport Complex in Shetland (Launch & Data services), Global Development, Community outreach, Education, and Employment.
Yvette retired to Shetland after a 28-year career as a US Military Intelligence officer culminating as the Director of Intelligence for Special Operations Command, Africa; and prior, as Brigade Commander of the Department of Defense’ largest counterintelligence unit. A leading innovator in her craft, she has spent her career synchronizing and directing intelligence eco systems.
Yvette hopes to bring her expertise as a Data and Intelligence consumer and as a collaborative partner to the Scottish Space Sector.
Yvette earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Central State University, Ohio, her Master of Military Arts and Science degree from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College School of Advanced Military Studies, and an additional Master’s degree in National Security Studies from the National War College. She also has earned certificates in Italian, Signals intelligence, Human intelligence, and in Cyber Advanced Support Operations (CASO). She lives a not-so-quiet life in Shetland.
Zulfikar Abbany is a Senior Science Editor and multimedia journalist for Germany's international broadcaster, DW (Deutsche Welle). He has produced and presented events for the European XFEL, DESY, World Health Summit and Falling Walls in Germany, the Battle of Ideas in London, and a roving panel discussion podcast called the New Peers Review. Before that he was in news and current affairs with Australia Network television and Radio Australia for the Asia Pacific region. He has written for New Scientist, The Independent, The Observer, Sydney Morning Herald and The (Melbourne) Age newspapers.
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