As the North East takes its place at the centre of the growing space economy, a high powered team has been assembled to shape a vision, mission and long-term strategy.

The North East Space Leadership Group is made up of a diverse range of stakeholders, from senior figures within the industry to academics, public sector and government representatives, the group will support the development of the space cluster in the North East with a focus on nurturing business growth and employment opportunities.

The news echoes the UK Government’s strong ambitions to make its mark as a space nation. By 2030, the UK Government aims to capture ten per cent of the global £490bn space market, and the commitment to meet this vision is reflected in the UK’s first National Space Strategy which was launched in September 2021.

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The North East Space Leadership Group has been set up to provide the strategic lead for the North East in developing the region’s capabilities within the UK and global space industry and will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the North East Space Strategy.

The work of the group will build on the significant development work already invested through the North East Satellite Applications Centre of Excellence since 2014, and as such the group will be working closely with the centre to deliver the region’s space strategy.

Business Durham, the business support service of Durham County Council, has led NESACoE, which is based at NETPark in Sedgefield, since it was established, engaging with over 700 organisations, establishing links between 300 business and universities, and helping companies secure over £10 million worth of funding.

The group will be chaired by John Bone, currently the Chair of NESACoE and Chief Commercial Officer of RHEA Group.

He said: “In the North East, and indeed across the UK, the space sector has been growing with added momentum in recent years. This presents a unique but very substantial commercial and economic opportunity for our region.

“By working across a diverse range of backgrounds and organisations, the group aims to boost collaboration and maximise research and commercial opportunities for companies working in the space sector.

"It’s our hope that this work will put the North East on the map as one of the key driving forces behind the UK’s up-and-coming space sector and attract existing and start-up businesses and inward investors.”

Members include representation from industry, academia and public sector such as representatives from Filtronic, e2E Group, Port of Tyne, NORSS, Jacobs, Satellite Applications Catapult and the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, in addition to local authorities, Department of international Trade, UK Space Agency, North East MPs Paul Howell and Chi Onwurah, and academics from Durham, Sunderland, Northumbria, Newcastle and Teesside Universities.

Colin Baldwin, Head of Local Growth Strategy at the UK Space Agency, said: “We are working with our partners to level up the space sector across the country and help companies grow with support networks, funding and advice.

"The North East Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications has played a key role in strengthening the space ecosystem in the North East.

"We welcome the establishment of the North East Space Leadership Group which will complement the work of the Centre of Excellence, driving growth and creating jobs across the region.”

 

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