Cricklade man for top space post (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cricklade man for top space post

A CRICKLADE man is reaching for the stars this week after he was appointed to be the next director general of the British National Space Centre.

David Williams was announced as the next person to hold the prestigious post earlier this week.

The appointment means a return to the UK for David, who has previously worked as the head of strategy and international relations with the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites.

David said the next few years would be a very exciting time for the future of space technology.

He said: "I believe that this is a time of opportunity for the UK space community. International space investments made over many years are now driving innovation and bearing fruit in changing people's lives.

"Satellite navigation is just one example, but even here we are only at the start of what will be an ongoing revolution."

Welcoming the appointment, Lord Sainsbury, Minister for Science and Innovation said: "I am delighted we have managed to attract David Williams back to the UK to take up this important post.

"He brings us extensive experience of how space is used internationally for 'down-to-earth' benefit."

David is the first director general to be recruited by open competition since BNSC, the Government body responsible for UK civil space policy, was created in 1985.

He will be responsible to the UK Space Board, chaired by Professor Keith Mason, which is responsible for the overall direction and performance of the BNSC partnership.

The UK Space Board was set up in April 2005 as part of a reorganisation of the BNSC partnership.

Prof Mason said: "It is vital that we recruit the very best person for this role, someone who embodies the breadth of international experience that will be necessary to maximise the assets of the BNSC partnership for the benefit of UK.

"In appointing David Williams to this post we have achieved that objective. I look forward to working with David in what is an extremely exciting and challenging time."

David will take up post in May, succeeding Dr Colin Hicks who retires at the end of April after serving as BNSC Director General since October 1999.