2025 Highlights

Cyber Security CDT (PhD) researcher at University of Bristol and University of Bath, conducting interdisciplinary research about the cyber security and resilience of space infrastructure. She is also Programme Lead for the CySpace Connected Capability Network, funded by Satellite Applications Catapult.

As the Chief Business Development Officer (CBO) at Saudi Net Link Holding (SNL), Mohamed Al Faisal leverages two decades of deep experience in the satellite communications industry to drive strategic growth.

Yasir Babiker is a seasoned Chief Technical Officer with more than three decades of leadership in Information and Communications Technology. Since 2002, he has served as the CTO of SAUDI NET LINK CO., where he leads consulting, design, and project management for major technology initiatives.

Mark was appointed to help drive Filtronic's growth in global space and defense markets, leveraging the company's high-frequency RF and mmWave technologies. Bown's role involves developing strategic relationships and expanding Filtronic's presence in the European space industry.

A highly driven technical leader and programme manager with a proven track record of successfully developing and delivering SATCOM and C4ISR capabilities across NATO and the UK Ministry of Defence.

A veteran of the satellite and defence business, David was previously Global Space Sales Director at TERMA Group (formal Atos/Siemens) where he focused on forging new markets and business opportunities.

Aurélien Fougerard is the Chief Strategy Officer at NSG, where he leads the company’s global strategic agenda with a focus on growth, innovation, and long-term value creation. With over 16 years of experience in strategy consulting - primarily within the industrial sector - Aurélien has spearheaded numerous large-scale strategy and transformation programs.

Nicolaus Hanowski holds a Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Sciences. He started as a researcher in the US and then transferred to Mission Operations at the German Space Operations Centre.

Irina is a senior satellite industry executive with vast experience and expertise in marketing, public relations, business strategy and planning, having worked for non-profit, start-ups and blue-chip companies.

Dr. Ulpia-Elena Botezatu is the Chair of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS) and Co-Chair of the Action Team on Lunar Activities Consultation (ATLAC). She is committed to advancing international cooperation in space law, security, and governance.

Wi-SUN Alliance is a global industry alliance of product, silicon and software vendors, utility companies, municipalities, testing experts and academic institutions dedicating to delivering interoperable solutions for IoT applications such as Utilities, Smart Cities, Energy management and agriculture.

Jake Saunders, Managing Director and Vice President, Space Tech & Advisory Services, leads ABI Research’s research team in Singapore. He devotes attention to Communications Services Provider strategy, both cellular and satellite.

Francesco Cataldo has more than 30 years of leadership experience in broadcasting, media, and telecommunications. His background includes executive roles such as Deputy CCO and other Commercial and Operational roles in Eutelsat.

Leading the UK Space Command Satellite Management Team. Strategic planning of MOD constellation strategy, future technology options, spectrum regulation, satellite filings and mil/civ co-ordination issues across International regulatory bodies, UK Govt, International Partners and Space Industry stakeholders in support of MODs current and future Space missions.

Matthew is Head of Global Licensing and Market Access at River Advisers, bringing regulatory experience across multiple next-generation satellite technologies. Matthew eads the firm's market access expertise and capabilities in this area: from market access planning, to licence acquisition, regulatory compliance and worldwide regulator engagement.

Rainer Wansch has been working at Fraunhofer IIS since 1996. He started with antenna designs for small antennas and satellite reception antennas based on planar technologies. Antenna measurements were also a focus point of his work as he managed the antenna test range at Fraunhofer IIS.

Luke is based in the London office and is the lead analyst for the Space Ground Segment programme. He contributes to the Satellite Capacity and Satellite–Telecoms Integration programmes, and analyses and forecasts satellite capacity supply, demand, revenue and pricing across various markets.

Mark Dickinson is a seasoned leader in space and satellite technology, with extensive expertise in technology innovation and development. His work spans next-generation software-defined satellites and the integration of 5G/6G terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks.

Martijn is the Chief Executive Officer of Neo Space Group (NSG). With extensive experience in CEO and executive leadership roles, he has built a successful track record of delivering growth in complex international environments.

Aerospace & Defense strategy consultant with experience across 3 continents. I advise organizations in the satellite sector on high-level strategic decisions, using deep industry knowledge, market assessments and financial modeling to deliver the best results.

Sergio Encabo is a highly accomplished professional with a strong background in Computer Science, having earned his degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. He has extensive experience as a System/Software Engineer, with expertise in cyber-security and spanning all phases of software development.

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Alex Sinclair is the Chief Technology Officer for the GSMA. He has held this position since 2005, having joined the organisation in 2003. In this role, Alex is responsible for driving the technology direction of the GSMA and working with its membership to execute key technology initiatives.

Devlin brings over 25 years senior level technical and leadership experience to the position, having held roles in international technology companies in market sectors ranging from satellite, 5G, aerospace and defence, to software defined radio and IoT. As co-founder of several investor backed high-growth companies, he is a proven technology leader with particular success in bringing innovative products to market.

Stella Tkatchova is the Programme Manager (PM) for space systems at the European Innovation Council (EIC). As a Programme Manager, Tkatchova brings critical insights and technology/market specific knowledge, performs pro-active portfolio management and supports SME’s and start-ups to achieve breakthrough innovation.

Antonio Franchi works at the European Space Agency as the Head of the 5G/6G NTN Programme Office in the Connectivity and Secure Communications Directorate. Antonio has over 30 years of experience in the satellite telecommunications industry.

Elisabeth Tweedie’s entire career has been focused on commercial satellites, telecommunications and broadcasting, specifically in the highly specialized area of evaluating the long term potential for new ventures, initiating their development and finding and developing appropriate alliances.

Under Isabelle’s leadership, GSOA and its member CEOs lead the effort to showcase the benefits of satellite communications for a more inclusive and secure society – vital to bridging the world’s digital divide, achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and realizing the 5G ecosystem.

Randall Barney is the Deputy Executive Director of the World Teleport Association. He represents WTA and leads discussion panels at dozens of conferences and trade shows each year and has built outstanding relationships with teleport and satellite executives.

For the past three years, Steve has been Group Strategy Director, successfully steering Celestia and its group companies through a particularly ambitious development phase. Prior to this, Steve was a Co-Founder of Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd, where he played a major part in the company’s start-up and early business development and growth.

Professor Andy Sutton is a telecommunications network architect and design engineer with over 35 years of industry experience, he's also a BT Fellow. At BT he is the technical lead for aspects of 4G LTE and 5G RAN architecture evolution (including vRAN & Open RAN / O-RAN) and mobile backhaul (xhaul) architecture and strategy, he is also responsible for fixed radio links and satellite communications.

With over 20 years of experience in networking, spectrum management, and satellite regulations, Mr Timothy Adi Ashong has proven his dedication to the advancement of Africa’s telecom sector.

Henny is Head of Telecomms at the UK Space Agency where he is responsible for delivering the UK’s satellite and lunar comms programmes. Since 2018 he has played a pivotal role in delivering over a hundred innovation programmes and activities, covering areas from low-cost user terminals to developing end to end infrastructures in new and emerging satellite markets.

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Professor Aniko Ekárt is Professor in Computer Science at Aston University, specialising in Artificial Intelligence. Anikó is Director of the Aston Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Application (ACAIRA).

Dr. Eleni Patouni is currently the moderator of the European Defence Agency (EDA) Capability Technology Working Group Space. She joined EDA in 2020 and she led the reorganisation of the agency’s R&T activities for space defence.