Keystone Law launches space practice led by Joanne Wheeler MBE

Joanne’s practice focuses on communications, satellite and space regulatory policy, together with commercial contracts and public private partnerships. She previously worked at both the European Space Agency (ESA) as well as Ofcom and sits on the Council of the industry body UKspace. She has also represented the UK at the United Nations space meetings.

Joanne (above) is Co-Chair of the Satellite Finance Network (SFN) and in January 2017 she was awarded an MBE in the New Year honours list for her services to the UK space industry.

Alongside Joanne are Nicholas Puschman, Barbara Marques and Sharon Carberry. Nicholas’ expertise spans international law, space law, commercial contracts and spectrum regulation. In addition to having worked in law firms in the UK, France and offshore, he has worked in the legal department of the European Space Agency (ESA) in Paris. Barbara’s career has seen her working at the heart of UK government for the Space, Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing sectors in the office of the Minister for Investment: helping UK companies to export, promoting UK business overseas, and assisting foreign companies to set-up and integrate in the UK. Sharon is a senior team manager and brings substantial experience of her previous government agency, market research and international law firm career.

The team will also be joined by Consultant Stewart White, a highly experienced regulatory and commercial lawyer in ICT with almost four decades of experience in the satellite sector and an abundance of board experience. He has acted as a director for the likes of a number of Vodafone operating companies and Etisalat Nigeria as well as spending four years on the Telecom Board of the International Telecommunication Union.

James Knight, founder and CEO of Keystone Law said of the team’s arrival: "The use of space and related technology impacts upon so many aspects of our daily lives as we become increasingly dependent on it for growth. This dependence has given rise to an exponential expansion of technological development which, in turn, creates complex difficulties when it comes to regulation on both a national and international scale. Joanne is a true leader in her field with the unique capabilities required to navigate this complex environment. We are absolutely delighted to welcome her and her team aboard."

Joanne said: “We are all excited to join Keystone as a specialised team focussing on the space, satellite and communications markets in the UK and internationally. It is a very exciting time to be involved in the UK space industry and we look forward to continue to work closely with our clients and wider participants in the sector both in the UK and internationally, and across all areas of work including spectrum and launch licensing, government relations, commercial agreements and project development and finance.”