Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Professor David Newbold becomes STFC Exec Director of National Laboratories S&T

Aerospace Defence Security Space

Professor David Newbold becomes STFC Exec Director of National Laboratories S&T

Experimental particle physicist Professor David Newbold has commenced work as STFC’s Executive Director of the UK's National Laboratories, Science and Technology.

Above: The ISIS Target Station 1 building.
Courtesy UKRI   

Professor Newbold (right) is an internationally recognised physicist
who has made notable contributions to his field.

For the last five years he has served as the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Director of Particle Physics.

Advertisement
ODU RT

National research resource
As Executive Director of National Laboratories, Professor Newbold will oversee the activities of over 1,400 engineering, scientific and research staff across STFC departments.

Due to their scale and complexity, the departments are operated as a national research resource for the UK.

His previous scientific management and leadership posts include acting as UK lead and spokesperson on the Compact Muon Solenoid experiment, at the CERN Large Hadron Collider and chair of the European Laboratory Directors Group.

As Executive Director of National Laboratories, he will drive new plans to develop flagship STFC facilities and projects, at UK sites such as Boulby Underground Laboratory and internationally.

Professor Newbold will also continue to champion sustainable big science, drawing on his experience shaping the strategic visions of large-scale facilities and will provide leadership for STFC’s programmes in:

  • fundamental physics
  • astronomy
  • quantum technologies
  • artificial intelligence
  • exascale computing

The National Laboratories consist of:

Advertisement
PTC rectangle

 

 

 

 

 

Advertisement
ECS leaderboard banner
Wales to be UK launchpad for advanced autonomous tech

Aerospace Defence Security

Wales to be UK launchpad for advanced autonomous tech

20 February 2026

Thousands of skilled workers in Wales will be involved in the design, testing and manufacture of advanced autonomous technologies and unmanned systems, as a landmark £50 million Defence Growth Deal positions the nation at the forefront of Britain’s defence future.

NPAS increases aircraft available for deployment

Aerospace Security

NPAS increases aircraft available for deployment

19 February 2026

In January this year, the National Police Air Service (NPAS) was able to increase the number of aircraft that were available for operational deployment.

Alloyed secures ATI Programme funding to develop ABD-1000AM

Aerospace

Alloyed secures ATI Programme funding to develop ABD-1000AM

19 February 2026

Developer and manufacturer of advanced metallic components, Alloyed Ltd, has secured funding from the ATI Programme for an ambitious £1 million project to accelerate the development of ABD-1000AM, a next-generation nickel-based superalloy designed for additive manufacturing.

Birmingham Airport publishes new sustainability strategy

Aerospace

Birmingham Airport publishes new sustainability strategy

19 February 2026

Birmingham Airport (BHX) has published its new sustainability strategy for 2026 to 2030, outlining the next strategic steps on its journey to becoming a more sustainable and socially responsible business.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
UK hydrogen airport trial sets out roadmap for further studies

Aerospace

UK hydrogen airport trial sets out roadmap for further studies

18 February 2026

A new report into the UK’s first airside trial of multiple hydrogen-powered ground support equipment (GSE) has confirmed that hydrogen can be safely and effectively integrated into airport ground operations, whilst setting out a series of essential next steps needed to accelerate hydrogen adoption and decarbonisation across the aviation sector.

Kent collaborates on Pre-FEED study for Eq.flight SAF demo plant

Aerospace

Kent collaborates on Pre-FEED study for Eq.flight SAF demo plant

18 February 2026

Integrated energy services partner, Kent, has collaborated with Equilibrion during a successful bid for funding from the UK Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuels Fund (AFF) and with that funding for Equilibrion and its partners, Kent is delivering the Pre-Front-End Engineering Design (Pre-FEED) for Eq.flight, an advanced power-to-liquids ...

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
Advertisement
ECS leaderboard banner