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

Gatwick faces two-day fuel shortage as airlines contend with higher costs
Air China London Gatwick
Gatwick faces two-day fuel shortage as airlines contend with higher costs
Gatwick Airport has warned airlines of a temporary jet fuel shortage caused by a technical fault. Long-haul flights are most likely to face operational challenges.
Aerospace Most Read

3 Aug 2026

Eaton opens UK aerospace additive manufacturing centre
Eaton facility, Wimborne.
Eaton opens UK aerospace additive manufacturing centre
The new facility will deliver production-ready capabilities to support localised production-scale additive manufacturing in Europe for the aerospace and defence sectors.
Aviation Pride UK launches The APUK Scholarship
Aviation Pride UK (APUK)
Aviation Pride UK launches The APUK Scholarship
A new scholarship scheme will help people pursue opportunities across the aviation sector and fund their aviation futures.
Aerospace

3 Aug 2026

First new homes delivered for British armed forces in Cyprus
Homes for British Armed Force personnel, at Dhekelia Station in Cyprus
First new homes delivered for British armed forces in Cyprus
The first phase of new homes for armed forces personnel and their families has been delivered under major programme in Cyprus.
Defence

3 Aug 2026

Why the UK’s new Brontanax CCA has to use American engines
Brontanax BAE Systems
Why the UK’s new Brontanax CCA has to use American engines
BAE may now design its Brontanax loyal wingman drone with US engines after Rolls-Royce's options were deemed too expensive.
Defence Most Read

3 Aug 2026

Eaton opens UK aerospace additive manufacturing centre
Eaton facility, Wimborne.
Eaton opens UK aerospace additive manufacturing centre
The new facility will deliver production-ready capabilities to support localised production-scale additive manufacturing in Europe for the aerospace and defence sectors.
AccelerComm underpins Eclipse Space’s 5G physical layer for satellite constellations
UK From Space-Telecom
AccelerComm underpins Eclipse Space’s 5G physical layer for satellite constellations
Flight-proven 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) tech from Southampton based AccelerComm, is supporting a scalable direct-to-device and broadband architecture from Starlink veterans behind Eclipse Space.
Member News Space

31 Jul 2026

ALL.SPACE releases Hydra MAX wideband platform for multi-orbit ops
Hydra on Defender
ALL.SPACE releases Hydra MAX wideband platform for multi-orbit ops
ALL.SPACE has released Hydra MAX, designed to unlock next-generation wideband Ka networks with multi-orbit connectivity.
Defence Space

28 Jul 2026

Wiltshire schoolchildren take second place in international rocketry final
Abbeyfield School 2nd Place
Wiltshire schoolchildren take second place in international rocketry final
Schoolchildren from Chippenham achieved second place at the International Youth Rocketry Challenge during the Farnborough International Airshow.
Aerospace Defence Events Security ...

27 Jul 2026

QinetiQ equips young people with cyber skills
CyberFirst Advanced at Lancaster University
QinetiQ equips young people with cyber skills
Hundreds of youngsters have been given the opportunity to equip themselves with real-world cyber skills.
Why drones have become a mainstream security challenge for airports across the UK
Ministry of defence drone
Why drones have become a mainstream security challenge for airports across the UK
Latest Dedrone report reveals why drone incidents are a mainstream security challenge for airports across the UK
Aerospace Security

29 Jul 2026

UK and partners warn of zero-click phishing campaign targeting Western organisations
NCSC warns of Laundry Bear phishing
UK and partners warn of zero-click phishing campaign targeting Western organisations
The UK and partners have exposed a new ‘zero-click’ phishing campaign, warning that Russian state-supported actors are using it to target Western organisations.
Security

28 Jul 2026