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
Leonardo animated rectangle

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
ODU RT

 

 

 

 

 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Stansted gets green light to increase passenger limit

Aerospace

Stansted gets green light to increase passenger limit

17 December 2025

London Stansted has today secured planning approval from Uttlesford District Council to increase its annual passenger limit up to 51 million, unlocking the potential to deliver a wide range of consumer, economic and community benefits over the next 20 years.

Skyports completes move to Drone Operations HQ

Aerospace Space

Skyports completes move to Drone Operations HQ

17 December 2025

Skyports Drone Services (Skyports) has completed a move into its new flagship, purpose-built, Drone Operations Hub in Westcott Venture Park, equipping the company with a state-of-the-art centralised facility for its UK, European and global drone operations.

Midlands manufacturers launch VORS

Aerospace Defence

Midlands manufacturers launch VORS

17 December 2025

Three Midlands manufacturing and design specialists - outsourcing expert PP Control & Automation (PP C&A), electronics design and software developer ByteSnap Design and contract electronics manufacturer Kasdonare - have joined forces to launch VORS (Versatile Outsourcing in Resilient Systems).

SLG installs new solar array at Bridge of Weir

Aerospace

SLG installs new solar array at Bridge of Weir

17 December 2025

Scottish Leather Group (SLG) has switched on a new Solar PV array at its production facility in Bridge of Weir, Scotland.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Aviation Minister views engine inspection tech at GE Aerospace Filton

Aerospace Defence

Aviation Minister views engine inspection tech at GE Aerospace Filton

16 December 2025

Aviation Minister Keir Mather MP visited GE Aerospace’s Filton facility last week (Thursday 11th December) to see how UK-engineered artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are helping to transform aircraft engine inspection and reinforce Britain’s position as a global centre of advanced aviation services.

Altus to showcase advanced solutions at Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2026

Aerospace Defence Events

Altus to showcase advanced solutions at Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 2026

16 December 2025

Distributor of advanced electronics manufacturing equipment in the UK and Ireland, Altus Group, will return to Southern Manufacturing & Electronics from 3rd-5th February 2026 at the Farnborough International Exhibition Centre, to showcase a range of advanced process technologies from global suppliers.

Advertisement
Leonardo animated rectangle