Chris White-Horne (alongside jobshare partner Annelies Look) is Deputy CEO and Chief Delivery Officer for UK Space Agency. Jointly they lead the delivery of the agency’s portfolio of programmes, missions and capabilities, the agency’s transformation programme and provide professional leadership to the offices of the chief engineer, regulation and programme management. In addition to their role in UKSA, Chris and Annelies are also leading the DSIT Space Directorate in work on the Spending Review, Industrial Strategy and providing thought leadership across Whitehall in a more coherent and joined up approach to delivering government’s space objectives. Previously Chris had a 25-year career in defence and aviation, was Programme Director and Chief Engineer in the international programme office for the Typhoon aircraft in Munich and a diplomat in Washington DC.
Ruth specialises in the assessment of environmental effects of spaceflight activities. Through her work with SaxaVord Spaceport, multiple Launch Operators and the CAA, Ruth offers a unique perspective on the sustainability challenges and opportunities facing the new space industry. Ruth is currently focused on working with industry to determine how spaceflight operators can set and maintain high standards for environmental control throughout the lifecycle of each and every mission.
Sabrina Alam currently leads the KPMG EU Space Practice and is a Director in the Sustainability Advisory Practice at KPMG Luxembourg, where she works with clients across numerous industries on various sustainability matters ranging from Space Sustainability, Integration of space technology for Financial Services, ESG strategy, ESG reporting, Net Zero roadmap to Sustainable Finance and Diversity & Inclusion, amongst many others.
Samira joined ADS in January 2024 as the Defence Director and is a member of the ADS Group Executive Team. Samira leads on ADS’s work across the Defence sector working closely with the ADS Vice President. Working with and on behalf of our members, Samira provides strategic leadership across a wide range of policies, programmes and capabilities and works with a matrix of stakeholders to ensure the voice of the sector is heard across the Ministry of Defence and other Government departments. Samira also continues her role as the Defence Growth Partnership (DGP) Programme Lead.
Jean-François Hamel is Vice President for Space Systems at NGC Aerospace. He is responsible for the establishment and the implementation of programs related to Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) systems for satellites, planetary Landers and rovers. He holds a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from University of Sherbrooke. He is also an International Space University graduate.
Fred Taylor is the Viasat Government Systems Vice President, Space and Cyber Applications responsible for strategy formulation, business initiatives, and integration of cutting-edge commercial space network and communication solutions purposed for government missions and applications. Prior to joining Viasat, Fred served in a variety of operations, command, acquisition, and staff positions within the U.S. Air Force, the National Reconnaissance Office, Missile Defense Agency, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.