General Atomics

Andrew Cawthorne appointed as Managing Director of SSTL

Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) has today announced that SSTL shareholder Airbus Defence & Space have appointed Andrew Cawthorne in his position as Managing Director, effective immediately.



Image courtesy SSTL

Andrew Cawthorne (above) steps into this role with extensive experience and a proven track record in driving business growth and operational excellence.

Sir Martin Sweeting, Chairman of SSTL, said: “On behalf of the entire team here at SSTL, I am pleased to congratulate Andrew on his well-deserved appointment as Managing Director. His exceptional leadership skills, strategic acumen, and deep understanding of our industry make him the ideal person to guide SSTL through its next phase of innovation and growth. We are confident Andrew will continue to strengthen SSTL’s position as a global leader in satellite technology.”

Andrew Cawthorne said: “I am deeply honoured to be appointed Managing Director of SSTL, a company renowned for its pioneering achievements in satellite technology and one that I have been proud to have been a part of for over 20 years.

"I am committed to working closely with our talented team to build on SSTL’s proud heritage, deliver outstanding results for our customers and drive forward innovation and sustainability in satellite missions and space exploration.”



Above: (left to right) Sir Martin Sweeting, SSTL Executive Chairman, Alain Faure, Head of Space Systems, Airbus, Andrew Cawthorne – SSTL Managing Director and Mikaël Butterbach – SVP HR Airbus Space Systems, at SSTL, Guildford, Surrey.
Courtesy SSTL


Andrew Cawthorne brings over two decades expertise in the space and technology sectors. Joining SSTL in 2004 Andrew initially worked as a Systems Engineer on the TopSat Imaging Project and as Technical Mission Lead for NigeriaSat-2. Andrew has since held several key commercial and leadership positions, most recently as Director of Business Development reporting into Managing Director, Phil Brownnett. When SSTL tragically lost Phil in June 2024 to a sudden illness, Andrew was appointed as Interim Managing Director.

Related

FAC eyes larger Farnborough presence after record airshow demand
Farnborough International AIrshow 2026
FAC eyes larger Farnborough presence after record airshow demand
Farnborough Aerospace Consortium says demand for its 2028 Farnborough Airshow stand is already close to capacity after a record presence at this year’s event.
Aerospace Defence

24 Aug 2026

Airbus expands Belfast A220 wing plant to support production ramp-up
Wing facility extension kicks off at Airbus Belfast
Airbus expands Belfast A220 wing plant to support production ramp-up
Airbus has started a major expansion of its Belfast A220 wing factory, adding production space and a third autoclave as it targets 13 aircraft per month by 2028.
Aerospace

24 Aug 2026

B&H Worldwide appoints Matt Silverberg as CEO
Matt Silverberg
B&H Worldwide appoints Matt Silverberg as CEO
With the appointment of Matt Silverberg as its new Chief Executive Officer, B&H Worldwide aims to accelerate the growth of its specialist logistics solutions for the global aerospace industry.
Aerospace Member News

24 Aug 2026

UK nuclear submarine expansion drives demand for 65,000 skilled workers by 2030
Royal Navy Dreadnought submarine
UK nuclear submarine expansion drives demand for 65,000 skilled workers by 2030
The UK’s nuclear defence workforce is expected to reach 65,000 by 2030 as Dreadnought, SSN-AUKUS and wider nuclear programmes drive demand for skills.
Defence

25 Aug 2026

FAC eyes larger Farnborough presence after record airshow demand
Farnborough International AIrshow 2026
FAC eyes larger Farnborough presence after record airshow demand
Farnborough Aerospace Consortium says demand for its 2028 Farnborough Airshow stand is already close to capacity after a record presence at this year’s event.
Aerospace Defence

24 Aug 2026

British Army hits the target with new radar system
Exercise Rhino Bizz
British Army hits the target with new radar system
Gunners from the British Army are using the wide open spaces of Canada to test a new radar system that can detect threats and guide artillery on to their targets.
Defence

24 Aug 2026

Austrian ENPULSION moves to acquire UK space propulsion specialist Lift Me Off
Enpulsion space propulsion manufacturer buys UK company lift me off
Austrian ENPULSION moves to acquire UK space propulsion specialist Lift Me Off
Austrian spacecraft propulsion manufacturer ENPULSION has agreed to acquire British specialist Lift Me Off, bringing together electric and chemical propulsion capabilities in a deal that will require UK Government approval.
Member News Space

21 Aug 2026

Lanarkshire AI Growth Zone gains £300m investment as Dell establishes Scottish base
Lanarkshire’s AI Innovation Park
Lanarkshire AI Growth Zone gains £300m investment as Dell establishes Scottish base
A £202 million guarantee from the UK National Wealth Fund has attracted an investment of £300 million in Lanarkshire's AI Growth Zone, which with Dell Technologies establishing a base there too, is set to support over 3,400 skilled jobs.
UK satellite funding targets connectivity ‘not-spots’ for farmers and remote railways
Young farmer works with a digital tablet in a wheat field, smart farm and quality control
UK satellite funding targets connectivity ‘not-spots’ for farmers and remote railways
British farmers and passengers travelling through remote parts of Scotland could gain better connectivity through a new £13 million package backing 16 UK satellite communications projects.
Space

18 Aug 2026

Serco to support prison infrastructure at Christchurch Men’s Prison
Rachel Leota, New Zealand​ Department of Corrections Chief Executive and Ben Tracey, Serco Asia Pacific Director Facilities Management and Public Private Partnerships
Serco to support prison infrastructure at Christchurch Men’s Prison
As the New Zealand Government looks to add much needed capacity to its prison system, it has selected Serco to provide facilities management and maintenance services to support a safe and resilient prison infrastructure at Christchurch Men’s Prison.
Member News Security

25 Aug 2026

UK defence jobs jump by 26,000 as MoD spending supports 274,000 workers
UK defence jobs jump by 26,000 as MoD spending supports 274,000 workers
Ministry of Defence spending with UK industry now supports one in every 100 jobs, according to new figures.
Defence Security

21 Aug 2026

Darktrace among first cybersecurity firms selected to integrate risk signals into Microsoft Agent 365
Using laptop and mobile phone
Darktrace among first cybersecurity firms selected to integrate risk signals into Microsoft Agent 365
The integration will bring Darktrace's behavioural risk signals into Microsoft Agent 365, enabling customers to view organisation-specific insights alongside Microsoft signals in a single interface.
Security

20 Aug 2026