Lessons from Yorkshire: How Space Clusters are supporting the UK to become a tech superpower

Rory Daniels

Senior Programme Manager for Emerging Technologies, techUK

Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.

During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.

Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.

Today, he is techUK's Senior Programme Manager for Emerging Technologies. His portfolio spans everything from robotics, metaverse and web3 to gaming and space technologies.

: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/

Anuradha Damale-Day

Space Ecosystem Manager, Satellite Applications Catapult

Anuradha Damale-Day is Space Ecosystem Manager at the Satellite Applications Catapult, as well as a doctoral researcher on the concept of “Responsible Behaviour in Outer Space”. Her role focuses on how to connect up the UK space community to create a space sector that is representative of the breadth and variety of expertise relevant to space across the country, working closely with the clusters to inform space strategy and policy, and support local and regional stakeholders in making a place for their communities in space.

John Frankland

Senior Business Development Manager, University of York – Institute for Safe Autonomy

John is the Senior Business Development Manager at the Institute for Safe Autonomy and has over 25 years' commercial and business development experience.  Prior to joining the Institute, he ran his own innovation consultancy business and has previously held senior management roles at the Universities of Leeds and Hull as well as undertaking numerous interim- and project management assignments.

Felix Barr

Cluster Development Manager, Space Hub Yorkshire

Felix Barr is a Cluster Development Manager for Space Hub Yorkshire, an organisation that are unlocking Space opportunities in Yorkshire and the Humber.

: https://spacehubyorkshire.org/
: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felix-barrprofile/

Patrick Wood

SVP of Space Systems UK & Head of Space Systems Production, Airbus Defence & Space

Patrick has over 35 years’ experience in the Aerospace and Space Industry most notably as the CEO of Surrey Satellite and Technology Ltd. (SSTL), Director of International Advanced Programmes for Lockheed Martin Space and over 25 years in a number of roles at Airbus, including the Skynet 5 Space System Programme Director, where Patrick was responsible for launching and delivering into orbit all the Skynet 5 GEO UK Communications Satellites, in addition to delivering the satellite control centres, network control centres, maritime sat com terminals and land mobile sat com terminals.

Paul Birtles

Operations Director, Produmax

Paul Birtles is the Operations Director for Produmax Limited, an aerospace components manufacturer based in Bradford, West Yorkshire.

Paul is Bradford born and bred and has been in manufacturing since 1981. He is a time served engineer completing his apprenticeship in 1985 at Renold Gears in Bradford while attending Bradford College on day release, being one of the first apprentices in the UK to complete the CNC programming modules. He has led teams in the textile and medical design fields achieving his first directorship in 2005 before moving to the aerospace industry with Produmax in 2012.

His principal interests include business transformation, culture change and lean manufacturing; Produmax has recently undergone many changes working with Sharing in Growth and making significant local investments allowing products to be transferred from off shore to UK manufacture.

Being an active champion of youth engagement, he has been instrumental in establishing Produmax’s apprentice scheme as one of the most successful in the area. He is also vice chair of governors for Bradford College, believing that young people are the key to the future.   

Paul takes a holistic view of problem solving leading to innovative solutions involving many areas of the business. He has been involved in developing true partnerships with key customers enabling Produmax to grow in reputation and size.