Introducing Space South Central’s new Business Development Manager

Dan Smith has joined the Space South Central team as Business Development Manager.

In his new role, Dan will work with space and non-space-related organisations, introducing them to the free services Space South Central has to offer and connecting them with business, funding and networking opportunities.

He joins Space South Central from the University of Portsmouth’s Faculty of Business and Law. This makes Dan perfectly placed to help companies navigate the HE sector and access the expertise and facilities of Space South Central’s three partner universities of Southampton, Surrey and Portsmouth for R&D, testing and collaborative projects.

Dan brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles that will benefit Space South Central businesses, including project management, working on research proposals and commercial tenders, costing projects and helping connect people and guide them through various approval processes. This included working across a diverse range of subject areas including: economic policy, Blue Governance, food security, finance in sport, leisure and tourism, and sustainability.

Originally from Yeovil, Somerset, Dan worked in London before settling in the south-central region on the Isle of Wight. Here’s a little more about him.

What attracted you to the Space South Central Business Development Manager role, and what are you looking forward to?

What person growing up in the 80s doesn't want to be involved in space?! More seriously, the space sector is an exciting and dynamic place to work. The idea of working with multiple different businesses, some of whom aren't even themselves aware they're working in the sector, and providing me with an instant opportunity to help was very tempting for me.

I also enjoy learning new subject areas – previously, I’ve been involved in housing planning and probation services – and the variety and significance of the space sector appealed greatly to me.

What are your hobbies/interests outside work?

I like reading (mostly fantasy novels), gaming (mostly stuck on 20-year-old games!), and watching sports, especially football, NFL and cricket. Somehow, despite the NFL being hosted in the UK for many years now, I have seen more NFL games in America than in the UK!

To arrange a chat with Dan, email him directly at Daniel.Smith@port.ac.uk