Speakers

Speaker profile

After leaving Oxford in 1993 with an MA in Physics, Doug joined the Defence Research Agency (now QinetiQ) to work on all things space, including radar surveillance, space radiation, spacecraft dynamics and military communications systems.

In 2001 Doug joined Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) as a Spacecraft Systems Engineer where he developed several new spacecraft including Europe’s first Galileo demonstrator satellite, GIOVE-A. Whilst at SSTL he also headed up the Science Exploration business unit and delivered multiple satellites and optical imaging payloads including the UK’s first cubesat.

In 2015, Doug created In-Space Missions, a company founded to develop satellite systems and new space enabled services. Since then, Doug has variously run the UK’s rocket programme; led the technical development of a disruptive innovation centre; developed a commercial demonstration platform for space; and initiated a company delivering real time video and immersive experiences from space; and been at the helm whilst the company designed and developed spacecraft for both defence and commercial customers. Throughout this journey, Doug pivoted the organisation several times, generating substantial early revenues and debt financed the growth of the company until acquisition by BAE Systems in September 2021. In 2024 Doug as appointed Director, Space at BAE Systems.

Doug is the Vice Chair of UKspace , the industry trade body and also chairs the UK’s Space Skills Advisory Panel which provides pan-sector leadership to address the space sector’s skills challenges.