Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Space
  • /
  • Keystone Law launches space practice led by Joanne Wheeler MBE

Space

Keystone Law launches space practice led by Joanne Wheeler MBE

Keystone Law has brought on a four-strong team, spearheaded by Joanne Wheeler MBE, to launch a new practice area advising those in the satellite, space, telecommunications and applications industries.

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.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

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.

Advertisement
Teledyne

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.”

 

Advertisement
Babcock LB
UK Moonlight team expands

Space Events

UK Moonlight team expands

18 July 2025

Viasat, SSTL and MDA Space have announced they are working together to develop designs and proposals for a lunar orbiting communications satellite system around the Moon, called Moonlight.

MDA Space UK to prime ESA and UKSA regenerative 5G D2D comms from LEO

Space

MDA Space UK to prime ESA and UKSA regenerative 5G D2D comms from LEO

16 July 2025

MDA Space Ltd today announced that it will prime SkyPhi, a new mission funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the UK Space Agency (UKSA) that will enable regenerative 5G direct-to-device (D2D) satellite communications from Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

University of Surrey launches Space Institute

Space

University of Surrey launches Space Institute

16 July 2025

With the UK's £19 billion space economy surging, government and industry urgently need faster research, innovation and skilled talent – yet more than half of space organisations report critical shortages, a challenge now being tackled by the newly launched Surrey Space Institute at the University of Surrey.

Pioneering programme to develop horizontal space launch

Space

Pioneering programme to develop horizontal space launch

15 July 2025

Ahead of the UK Space Conference (Manchester, 16th-17th July 2025), Frazer-Nash has announced it is leading a new research programme, known as INVICTUS, to develop a comprehensive concept design for a vehicle and its integrated systems, with the goal of building and flying a Mach 5-capable aircraft at the edge of space by early 2031.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025
Celestia UK starts building world’s first Ka-band multi-beam gateway

Space Events

Celestia UK starts building world’s first Ka-band multi-beam gateway

15 July 2025

Celestia UK is announcing at the UK Space Conference 2025 (Manchester, 16th-17th July 2025) that it has commenced the preproduction stage of a new generation of ground station gateway.

Bright Ascension launches strategic plan with new leadership team

Space

Bright Ascension launches strategic plan with new leadership team

14 July 2025

Bright Ascension Ltd has announced the appointment of a new CEO and the launch of its five-year strategic plan.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025