Lucy Edge Stands Down as Chief of Missions and Deputy CEO after 7 years
Marketing
After 7 years at the Satellite Applications Catapult, Lucy Edge, Chief of Missions and Deputy CEO will stand down at the end of January.
Lucy joined the Catapult in February 2018 from Avanti Communications, initially as Chief Operating Officer and is responsible for revolutionising the Catapult’s delivery capability during a period of rapid growth and change in the space industry. This has established the Catapult as a go-to delivery organisation for initiatives like the development of the in-orbit servicing and manufacturing market. Lucy has also helped the Catapult to build strong and mutually beneficial relationships with organisations including STFC’s RAL Space, InnovateUK and the UK Space Agency. Lucy will continue to work in the space sector, focussing on start-up and scale-up companies.
Lucy leaves the Catapult having overseen its successful transition to a mission-led organisation, developing clear strategic plans for each mission and standing up new mission teams comprising delivery and technical experts.
Lucy is also a powerful advocate for women across the sector, a champion of equity, diversity and inclusion practice, and a powerful advocate for the use of satellite applications in real life as a solution to many of today’s cultural and climate-related problems. Her work will be reflected in the Catapult’s approach and outlook for years to come.
John Abbott, CEO of the Satellite Applications Catapult said, “It is hard to imagine the Catapult without Lucy, but thanks to her pinpoint focus over the last seven years, the Catapult has been transformed into the effective organisation it is today. We are in an excellent position to deliver on our missions and we will all benefit from the powerful legacy Lucy leaves behind. I would like to thank Lucy for her dedication to the Catapult movement and I wish her every future success.”
Lucy Edge said, “When I joined the Catapult I was excited to play my part in driving growth in the UK’s space sector, helping us to be successful in a one of the most exciting global industries. The UK space industry has gone from strength to strength, and I have enjoyed working with innovative companies like Open Cosmos, Magdrive, and Astroscale, to name just a few who demonstrate revolutionary technology and rapid growth, with a clear route to sustainability. It has been a joy, a challenge and an honour to help lead this wonderful organisation and I will enjoy watching its successes in years to come.”
Nafeesa Dajda has been appointed as Interim Chief of Missions and will continue to build and develop the Catapult’s mission-led innovation strategy. Nafeesa has vast space-sector experience and a well-developed national network having headed up the Catapult’s National Capabilities and Clusters programme for over 10 years.