Dr Paul Bate will be stepping down as Chief Executive of the UK
Space Agency at the end of March 2026.
Paul has led the UK Space Agency for four and a half years.
Working closely with ministers, he delivered two successful
delegations to the European Space Agency Councils of Ministers,
securing record investment levels, UK science leadership and
three new UK astronauts.
The UK space sector now has access to a wider range of national
space funding than ever before, with flagship initiatives such as
the National Space Innovation Programme and Space Clusters
Infrastructure Fund catalysing increasing levels of private
investment.
Paul has also had a sustained focus on making the Agency a great
place to work, increasing staff engagement by six percentage
points.
Dr Paul Bate said:
To be trusted to deliver the government's civil space ambitions,
and to lead an Agency of expert professionals who are passionate
about their craft, has been the greatest privilege of my career
and proof that space is a team sport.
As the UK Space Agency becomes part of the Department for
Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), now is the right time
to pass the baton on. Whoever is successful will have one of the
best jobs in the civil service, leading the new UK Space Agency,
delivering innovation and world class science across space,
working closely with Ministers, and combining policy, strategy,
delivery and technical expertise to help make the UK a leading
space nation.
Space Minister said:
It has been a pleasure to work with Paul in his role as CEO of
the UK Space Agency.
As minister, I have particularly valued working with him on the
European Space Agency Council of Ministers work agreeing £1.7bn
of investment on priority ESA programmes supporting jobs,
resilience and science across the UK on issues from space weather
to science, launch to Europe's first Mars Rover. Paul's work on
programmes like Unlocking Space have been crucial to support
growth of the UK space industry. I wish Paul every success in
whatever he turns his talents to next.
, Chair of the UK Space
Agency, said:
Paul has done an enormous amount not just for the UK Space Agency
but more widely for the British space sector as a whole. He is an
excellent leader committed to promoting British science and
technology. All of us at the Space Agency wish him well for the
future.
Doug Liddle, Chair of the UKspace trade association, said:
On behalf of our members, I want to thank Paul for all he has
done to champion space across the country and the world.
I have always appreciated his willingness to engage with
companies large and small, to listen to our concerns and to
understand the commercial realities of operating in such a
fast-moving sector. I wish him well and look forward to working
closely with the new Director of the UK Space Agency, once
appointed.
As announced in August
2025, the UK Space Agency will merge with DSIT's Space
Directorate, forming a new single unit within DSIT responsible
for civil space policy and delivery. The new unit will retain the
UK Space Agency name and brand identity. Recruitment for a
Director is currently underway.
