New board appointed to advise on future space innovation in Leicester
Chair of the Space Park Leicester Advisory Board, Geraldine Naja – ESA’s Director of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness.
A new board has been created which will further strengthen Leicester’s pivotal role at the heart of UK space innovation.
Leicester is one of the world’s most active cities for space research and has contributed to space exploration for more than six decades.
Now 10 of the UK’s leading experts in the field have been appointed to a new Strategic Advisory Board which will support the ongoing development of the University of Leicester’s Institute for Space and Space Park Leicester – the University of Leicester’s £100 million science and innovation park.
Space Park Leicester Executive Director Professor Richard Ambrosi, who is a board member, said: “The board will advise on the development, effective operation, delivery and integration of our world leading facilities.
“This is hugely important because our facilities bring together interdisciplinary research, enterprise, education, and commercial development to further the mission of the University of Leicester and create value in our city, region and beyond.
“The board will help to shape the vision and mission of Space Park Leicester and the Institute for Space, including the development of our objectives and portfolio of activities, and will help us to identify emerging opportunities.
“It includes leading experts who will advise us in areas relating to their specialist knowledge.”
The board is chaired by European Space Agency (ESA) Director of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness Geraldine Naja. Geraldine has more than 30 years of experience and knowledge within the European space sector in programmatic, managerial and strategy development positions. Geraldine is responsible for elaborating and implementing ESA’s industrial and procurement policies, conducting negotiations with industry and managing procurement for the Agency’s activities and programmes. Geraldine is also responsible for enabling and boosting European space commercialisation and business development ambitions through innovative programmes, tools and partnerships.
Betty Bonnardel-Azzarelli MBE is the CEO of an award-winning business and has extensive international experience in the high tech, aerospace, satellite, energy, nuclear, transport and defence industries for both the public and private sectors.
Marie-Claire Perkinson manages the Mission and Spacecraft Chief Engineering department at Airbus Defence and Space UK overseeing the system engineering activities at all stages of the project lifecycle for Earth Observation, Science, Exploration and Telecommunications programmes. Previously she led the Exploration Future Programmes activities overseeing bidding for Mars, Moon and LEO early phase studies and implementation projects. Marie-Claire is also Chair of the UKSpace Space Science and Exploration Committee.
Karen Olsson-Francis is a Professor of Geomicrobiology at The Open University and the Director of AstrobiologyOU, an interdisciplinary research group comprising academics, laboratory and support staff, and students whose mission addresses the scientific, governance and ethical challenges of advancing astrobiology. Karen’s current research combines her expertise in microbiology and astrobiology to study microbial survival and habitability. She uses environmental simulation facilities and field sites on Earth to examine the limits of life and biosignature formation. Karen serves on multiple UK and international strategic panels, including the COSPAR Panel on Planetary Protection, the UK Planetary Protection Advisory Panel and the Space Exploration Advisory Committee.
Joanne Wheeler MBE is Managing Partner at Alden Legal and is a leading practitioner in the field of satellites, having worked at both the ESA and Ofcom and for more than 20 years in private practice. She is ranked as a Top Tier lawyer in legal directories for her satellite and communications work. She has significant regulatory and commercial expertise, and a strong reputation in the satellite industry which culminated in her being awarded an MBE for services to the space industry in 2017. She won the Financial Times European Legal Innovator of the Year Award in 2014 for her work with the UK industry and Government in drafting and changing satellite related legislation. She sits on the Executive Council of UKspace and the Space Sector Council. She is Chair and co-founder of the Satellite Finance Network.
The board also includes Space Park Deputy Director Professor Nigel Bannister, Institute for Space Director Professor Emma Bunce OBE and fellow Institute member Professor Sarah Davies who is Pro Vice Chancellor Head of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Leicester.
Finally, Dr Joanne Hill-Kittle, known as Joe, is NASA liaison to the board. Joe is Acting Deputy Center Director for Technology and Research Investments at NASA Goddard. Joe is responsible for overseeing NASA Goddard’s New Opportunities Office, Internal Research and Development investments and the Strategic Partnerships Office to execute a strategy to enable missions and instruments that will answer the far-reaching science questions.