The UK’s space sector is a world leader in small satellites and at the forefront of a rapidly expanding global space economy. The ADS space sector team is committed to supporting the sector by understanding our members’ objectives and challenges, in turn generating relevant new business development opportunities and developing a comprehensive programme of in-person and online events. To help support our members we have been expanding our space sector team, introducing our new Engagement Manager for Space, Stefan Garcia.
How long have you been in post?
I have been in post for just over a month now. I jumped straight into my role in August after the equally brilliant yet hectic period of Royal International Air Tattoo 2024 (RIAT) and Farnborough International Airshow 2024 (FIA), two of the world’s greatest airshows!
Have you enjoyed the change from your previous role?
I joined ADS from Airbus where I spent the last two years supporting UK public affairs, policy and strategy activity for the organisation’s defence and space business. On space, my work focussed on developing and facilitating strategic engagement opportunities linked to key strategic civil and military campaigns, not solely in isolation, but in support of the wider UK ecosystem and supply chain.
The greatest change has been the rapid transition from working with one company to that of the many members that ADS represents. Getting to know our space members, and in turn the capabilities they specialise in – whether that be in-orbit servicing, satcom or Earth Observation – has been extremely rewarding, and I look forward to working closely with all of them to help advance the UK’s competitive advantage in space.
What is your main focus in the role?
Our members are at the heart of everything we do at ADS, which is why my foremost priority is to engage closely with them, listening to their priorities, opportunities and challenges, and most importantly, understand how we can best support them in fulfilling their objectives.
This will very much shape what I want to achieve in this role. I want our members, and our wider sector, to not only succeed, but to be envied internationally. This is what drives our priorities for the ‘UK’s Space Sector in 2024 and beyond‘ paper and is why we are planning a flurry of activity (more below) in the coming weeks and months, designed to help unlock the potential of those we represent, while providing the best possible space offering for our members.
What engagement are you looking forward to doing over the next few months?
Too many to name! We have various upcoming business development opportunities and trade missions that I’m excited about, including our very first Engage Space Reception on 8 October 2024 in London, followed by our Engage Yorkshire Symposium in Leeds between 15-16 October 2024 and a UK Delegation of space companies to Toulouse between 5-6 November 2024. Lastly, it would be remiss of me not to mention next year’s (and the very first) Farnborough International Space Show, taking place between 19-20 March 2025. This will coincide with the UK’s hosting of the 40th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment, I40.
Moreover, in addition to all our Special Interest Groups, we are also planning to re-establish bi-monthly members events, covering different, yet topical, themes and capabilities. This will be coupled with a monthly space bulletin, which will help inform members of recent events of interest, as well as upcoming opportunities for them to engage with.
What is the importance of the space sector?
I think the question is: what isn’t the importance of the space sector? Put plainly, space is a critical enabler of much of what we are able to enjoy.
In the UK alone, space directly contributes £7 billion to GVA, while generating £5.9 billion worth of export opportunities – ultimately driving economic growth. Through sovereign capabilities like Skynet, coupled with Britain’s wider expertise in milsatcom, space allows our Armed Forces to communicate securely, in turn guaranteeing our wider security. In employing 48,000 highly skilled people across the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, space contributes to our country’s wider skills base, while concurrently inspiring the next generation to take forward the sector. Finally, programmes like Copernicus – which monitor Earth’s atmosphere – ensure nations like the UK are protecting the environment we all share, key to reaching net zero.
The importance of space, and our brilliant sector which underpins its potential, is therefore unrivalled. I’m proud to play a small part in its success, and look forward to working with those across industry, Government, academia and beyond to secure the UK’s domestic, global and future advantage in space.
Make the most of your membership:
Contact Stefan Garcia by email stefan.garcia@adsgroup.org.uk to discuss how we can help you.
