Dr. Matt Perkins, CEO of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), has been elected Vice-Chair of the UK Industry Association for Space (UKspace), the trade association of the UK space industry. UKspace aims to grow the UK space industry, promote awareness for the industry in government, media and the public, and act as a forum for discussion about industry challenges. It has played an important role in recent achievements such as the expansion of the Harwell Space Cluster, the establishment of a Satellite Applications Catapult Centre and the increasing the UK’s commitment to European Space Agency (ESA) activities.
Dr. Matt Perkins said: “This is a pivotal time for the UK space industry, with Government recognising and supporting our high tech manufacturing and service industries to achieve economic growth and skills development. I believe the UK now has a strong foundation to make a big impact in the global space market and I am delighted that I have been appointed to lead this change during the next two years.”
Ruy Pinto Chair of UKspace and CTO of Inmarsat Group said: “As SSTL CEO, Matt represents a hotbed of space innovation in the UK and will play a valuable role in taking the industry forward and ensuring its continued influence and growth in the global space markets. I am delighted to welcome Matt to the UKspace team.”
Dr. Matt Perkins is CEO of SSTL, where he has overseen one of the largest UK cash spin-outs with the sale the company from the University Of Surrey to EADS Astrium NV. In the five years since he took up the position, the company’s revenues have quadrupled and its staff more than doubled. Dr. Perkins holds a degree in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from the University of Leeds, and undertook a number of senior roles within Filtronic plc before joining SSTL in 2007.
Dr. Perkins will assume the role of Vice Chair from Stuart Martin, formerly of Logica/CGI, who has been appointed CEO of the newly formed Satellite Applications Catapult in January.
About SSTL
Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) is the world’s leading small satellite company, delivering operational space missions for a range of applications including Earth observation, science and communications. The Company designs, manufactures and operates high performance satellites and ground systems for a fraction of the price normally associated with space missions, with 550 staff working on turnkey satellite platforms, space-proven satellite subsystems and optical instruments.
Since 1981 SSTL has built and launched 41 satellites – as well as providing training and development programmes, consultancy services, and mission studies for ESA, NASA , international governments and commercial customers, with its innovative approach that is changing the economics of space.
In 2008 the Company set up a US subsidiary, Surrey Satellite Technology US LLC (SST-US) with facilities in Denver, Colorado to address the United States market and its customers for the provision of small satellite solutions, applications and services. www.sst-us.com
Headquartered in Guildford, UK, SSTL is owned by Astrium BV.
www.sstl.co.uk
About UKspace
UKspace is the trade association of the UK space industry, with a mission to promote the best commercial, political and public environment for the UK space industry. UKspace is sponsored jointly by ADS and Intellect encapsulating both the upstream and downstream nature of the space sector.
For more information on the UK space industry see www.ukspace.org
