Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Space
  • /
  • FAC conference will be out of this world

Aerospace Defence Space Events

FAC conference will be out of this world

Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC) has secured some industry heavy-weights for its annual conference – including Sir Michael Ryan CBE.



Image courtesy Farnborough Aerospace Consortium (FAC)
Above: Alan Fisher, CEO of FAC, and Graham Chisnall, Chairman of FAC

The event is on September 28th and titled ‘Space, defence and civil aerospace – opportunities, competitiveness and growth’.

It is open to all and is being held at the Brooklands Museum in Weybridge, Surrey, which delegates can explore.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Sir Michael Ryan CBE is Vice President and General Manager of Spirit AeroSystems, Belfast, and the Industry Chair of the Aerospace Growth Partnership (APG).

Also addressing the conference will be Jon Hulks, Space Ecosystem Development Manager, UK Space Agency, Neil McManus, Managing director of Marshall Aerospace, and Sue Elliott, Senior Manager UK Network, British Business Bank.

There are a dozen other speakers and the conference includes Q&A sessions as well as networking opportunities. Full details can be found here: www.fac.org.uk

Alan Fisher, chief executive officer of FAC, said: “We decided this year to push the boundaries a bit further to include space travel and exploration.

“It is a growing area in our region and many businesses are working in it and in its supply chain.

“Robert Elliot from Surrey Satellites will be speaking, as will Colin Baldwin, Head of Policy at UK Space.

“Other speakers include Stephen Cowan, Vice President General Manager, GKN Aerospace Defence, and Laura Cuss, Programme Director – Hydrogen Capability Network at the ATI.

“Related industries are also represented with Sue Elliott from British Business Bank giving a keynote speech.

“Some of the big names in aerospace – including Airbus – will also be represented.

“Our annual conference has become an important date in the aerospace calendar and we are expecting a large number of delegates.

Advertisement
ODU RT

“Over the years the conference has led to a lot of business being done and our region remains the heartbeat of the country’s aerospace sector.

“But to ensure the region and the country remain world leaders we must keep pushing the boundaries.

“Previously we have focused on net-zero and clean fuels and huge progress is being made in those areas.

“At this conference we are also looking at opportunities, competitiveness and growth.

“While the sector often gets criticised it brings in vast sums to the UK economy and its innovations and breakthroughs assist other industries and sectors.

“We look forward to welcoming our delegates and the information can be found on our website.”

 

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
ADS appoints Matthew Reynolds as CIO

Aerospace Defence Security Space Events

ADS appoints Matthew Reynolds as CIO

19 June 2026

ADS Group - parent organisation of trade association ADS and Farnborough International - has appointed Matthew Reynolds as its Chief Information Officer (CIO).

North Ayrshire secures most UK SpaceX investment

Space

North Ayrshire secures most UK SpaceX investment

18 June 2026

Last week SpaceX dominated headlines all over the world but in the UK it was in an unlikely region in Western Scotland that the mega-IPO garnered the most retail investor attention.

SOLAR-1 becomes operational

Space

SOLAR-1 becomes operational

16 June 2026

Global space weather forecasting is getting a step-change in capability as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) SOLAR-1 satellite becomes operational.

Optera funding fuels UK hub for space domain awareness

Defence Security Space

Optera funding fuels UK hub for space domain awareness

15 June 2026

Optera, a neuromorphic sensing company delivering next-generation space domain awareness (SDA), has raised £3 million to establish and scale its UK headquarters and engineering team.

Advertisement
ODU RT
ESA officially adopts ARRAKIHS as F2 Mission

Space

ESA officially adopts ARRAKIHS as F2 Mission

12 June 2026

The European Space Agency (ESA) has officially adopted ARRAKIHS as its second FAST-class (F2) scientific mission, with the University of Surrey leading the UK’s role in the project to uncover the hidden history of galaxies ahead of a confirmed target launch date of 2030.

UK funding boosts breakthrough space tech

Space

UK funding boosts breakthrough space tech

11 June 2026

At London Tech Week, UK Space Minister Liz Lloyd unveiled more than £19 million to support British companies developing next-generation space technologies.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner