Dr Howes took up her position on 1 April 2019, replacing
Professor David Southwood who completed his term as the
Agency’s Steering Board chair in March.
Dr Graham Turnock, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency,
said:
I am delighted to welcome Dr Howes to the position of
chair of our Steering Board. Her skills and experience
make her an ideal candidate for the role and the
knowledge and enthusiasm she brings will provide
excellent leadership for the board.
I would also like to thank our outgoing chair, Professor
Southwood, for his invaluable insight, passion and
commitment throughout his 3 years with us, during which
time the UK space sector has gone from strength to
strength.
The UK’s space sector has seen significant growth in
income, exports and employment in recent years, with total
income now standing at £14.8 billion.
The sector employs 41,900 people, while exports are worth
£5.5 billion. Much of this growth is due to space
manufacturing, including satellites, ground systems and
components. The UK has significant capabilities in this
area, building major parts for one in four of the world’s
commercial telecommunications satellites.
Dr Howes has a range of non-executive and consultancy
roles, specialising in cyber and digital transformation.
She was previously a member of the Executive Team at the
National Audit Office, responsible for evaluating the
implementation and value for money of government technology
and transformation programmes and for implementing digital
transformation within the NAO. She has also worked for
the Ministry of Defence as director of Commercial Services.
Before joining the MoD she spent 4 years as
director general for the Society of British Aerospace
Companies (now ADS Group).
Her career started however in space programmes, involved in
the development of ground segments for Earth observation
and meteorological satellites and over 12 years as one of
the founders and directors of an SMEconsultancy
business in the satellite sector. Dr Howes was awarded
an OBEfor services to the
UK space industry in the June 2004 honours list.
She holds a PhD in hydrology from the University of
Bristol, and a Master of Arts in geography from the
University of Cambridge. She is a Council Member for Surrey
University, where she also chairs the Surrey Research Park.
