Two Major Partners Join the UK’s Largest Space Cluster to Drive Growth in the UK Space Economy

Space South Central, the UK’s largest regional Space Cluster, is delighted to announce the addition of two prestigious members to its Advisory Board: The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and CGI, one of the largest IT and business consulting companies in the world. Both organisations have an extensive track record and significant presence in the global Space sector. Their technological capabilities will greatly enhance the Cluster’s collaborative efforts to establish a dynamic framework between industry and government, unlocking the full potential of the Space industry in the South-Central region and across the UK.

The UK Space sector is a national success story, employing 52,000 highly skilled professionals and achieving labour productivity that is 2.3 times the national average. Satellite services play a vital yet often hidden role, underpinning more than £364bn of UK GDP and supporting essential services such as transport, weather forecasting, power grid monitoring, and facilitating every financial transaction made.

Space South Central embodies a comprehensive cross-section of this thriving industry, accounting for nearly 20% of the GDP generated by UK Space businesses. By forging long-term partnerships among industry, academia, and government, the Cluster can significantly amplify the growth of the Space sector, not only in its region but across the entire UK.

Louise Butt, Director at Space South Central, said:

“The addition of NPL and CGI to our Advisory Board marks a pivotal moment for Space South Central. Their wealth of expertise will be invaluable as we strive to drive innovation, create jobs, and enhance the economic impact of the Space industry. Together, we are committed to shaping a future where the UK remains a leading contributor to Space missions and satellite technologies.”

John Hanley, Senior Vice President Consulting Services for Secure Mission Critical Solutions at CGI in the UK said:

"We aim to support Space South Central to accelerate innovation and collaboration across the UK space sector including industry, academia and government, and we’re excited to deliver meaningful outcomes through our involvement. By leveraging our expertise in secure, mission-critical space solutions we intend to drive tangible growth across sectors and reinforce the UK’s position as a leader in space technology.

Dr Olympia Karadima, Business Development Manager – Space at National Physical Laboratory said:

“NPL is pushing the boundaries of scientific innovation and support the UK's endeavours both in Earth and in Space. We are delighted to join the Space South Central Advisory Board to provide expertise and accelerate the technological development in space technologies. By collaborating with key industry and academic partners of the space clusters, NPL aims to drive innovation, enhance satellite, and space technologies, and contribute to the UK's space ambitions.”

CGI in the space sector

Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest IT and business consulting services firms in the world with around 6,000 experts based in the UK. CGI’s first space project was in 1974 and from then CGI has continued to have a great presence in the space sector, working to increase the value of clients’ space investment whilst combatting ever-growing security threats to space assets and information.

CGI delivers secure, mission-critical space systems including data processing and exploitation, satellite communications, orbit determination, command and control, ground segment engineering, navigation and situational awareness. CGI’s downstream space applications support many sectors, including delivering weather satellite images and data to over 3 billion people. As specialists in image processing and geospatial data we turn Earth observation data into trustworthy actionable information.  

NPL

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is the UK’s National Metrology Institute, providing the measurement capability that underpins the UK's prosperity and quality of life.

From new antibiotics to tackle resistance and more effective cancer treatments, to secure quantum communications and superfast 5G, technological advances must be built on a foundation of reliable measurement to succeed. Building on over a century’s worth of expertise, our science, engineering and technology provides this foundation. We save lives, protect the environment and enable citizens to feel safe and secure, as well as support international trade and commercial innovation. As a national laboratory, our advice is always impartial and independent, meaning consumers, investors, policymakers and entrepreneurs can always rely on the work we do.

Based in Teddington, south-west London, NPL employs over 800 scientists. NPL also has regional bases across the UK, including at the University of Surrey, the University of Strathclyde, the University of Cambridge and the University of Huddersfield's 3M Buckley Innovation Centre.

For more information visit: www.npl.co.uk  

Space South Central

Part-funded by the UK Space Agency, Space South Central is the UK’s largest space cluster. Originating as a partnership between the South Coast Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications, the EM3 Space Hub and the universities of Portsmouth, Southampton and Surrey, it now represents more than 170 space-related businesses and 4 academic institutions across Hampshire, Surrey and the Isle of Wight.

The Space South Central region boasts significant capabilities in satellite manufacturing, launch technologies, next-generation communications, robotics, autonomous systems, and a full range of satellite data-enabled service capabilities. Figures from 2023 showed that Surrey and Hampshire alone account for around £3 billion of national space industry turnover, with more than 12,000 people working in the space sector across the region.

Bringing world-class universities and businesses together, Space South Central’s role is to champion the area’s space industry regionally, nationally and internationally to promote growth, collaboration and innovation, acting as a gateway for new connections and investment opportunities.