Introduction
The Business Applications UK Ambassadors are active in stimulating space related business development.
The UK already has a strong presence in the global space market, which is expected to continue its rapid growth, especially in downstream applications. With the support of both ESA and the UK Government, the Ambassador's aim is to raise awareness of the available funding instruments and to identify, promote and deliver a regular supply of commercially sustainable projects that use or are enabled by space. They conduct outreach activities and provide advice and guidance on business ideas for the programme across multiple sectors and regions in the UK, by developing relationships with new and existing users and stakeholders.
REGIONAL AMBASSADOR PROFILES
UK Regional Ambassador - Scotland and Northern Ireland: Kenneth Gordon
Ken Gordon is an experienced innovation funding specialist who has ben helping Scottish businesses understand and apply for funding for innovation since 2008.
Ken has been the the ESA Space Solutions Business Ambassador for Scotland, Northern Ireland for the last two years. Over the last contracts, he has been responsible for:
- 16 APQ applications, of which 5 were successfully selected to go through to Outline Proposal.
- Organising or co-organising 11 events, presenting at 21 events and attending a further 17 events.
- From a total of 38 events 36 were non-space and 2 were space events.
His previous experience includes managing design teams focused on clients in the aerospace, explosives, automotive and consumer sectors, managing EU funded innovation programmes and as a bid writing consultant. In his spare time, he paints, makes podcasts, performs improvised comedy and is learning mandarin. Not in that order
UK Regional Ambassador – South West England and Wales: Grant Day
Introduction
Grant began his role as Ambassador for Southwest England and Wales in late 2022 and has a background in academic-industry partnerships and technology transfer. He has an extensive portfolio of projects in cybersecurity, autonomous transport and industrial applications of data science.
Grant has a sustained record of developing relationships with partners of all sizes and types to identify and initiate opportunities that address business and societal challenges. For many companies this has been their first approach to innovation funding, and Grant’s professional coaching has enabled them to scope and design projects, generate compelling applications and ensure that the companies’ ambitions are achieved.
What is the most notable achievement that you had so far?
While relatively new to the role, one notable achievement has been to influence the Space Wales Leadership Council in their evolution of their strategy ‘Wales: A Sustainable Space Nation’. Grant helped the Council recognise the multiple facets to sustainability and the opportunity that space-derived data and downstream services offer in the development of solutions that provide both sustainability and prosperity.
The network and link with ESA
The networks in which Grant is most active are:
- Cornwall Space Cluster
- Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Data and Space Steering Group
- The Collaborative Research and Innovation Support Programme (CRISP)
- Southwest Aerospace and Space Network (SWAN)
- Space Wales & Space Wales Leadership Council
These networks are excellent vehicles for disseminating current and upcoming ESA Space Solutions opportunities, offering the chance to work with regional stakeholders to identify companies that could benefit and to influence regional strategies.
Vision where BASS is important
In Southwest England and Wales, ESA Business Applications has identified the following sectors for prioritisation:
- Clean Energy
- Environmental Intelligence
- Natural Capital
- Marine & Maritime
- Intelligent Transport
- Healthy Aging
The growing offshore renewable sector in the region, expedited through the floating offshore wind prospects in the Celtic Sea, and supporting supply chain is a key focus that aligns with many of these priority sectors.
Email: G.M.Day@exeter.ac.uk