Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Space
  • /
  • SSTL appoints Phil Brownnett as Managing Director

Space

SSTL appoints Phil Brownnett as Managing Director

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) has announced the appointment of Phil Brownnett as Managing Director, succeeding Sarah Parker who is stepping down from the role to pursue new challenges.


Courtesy SSTL
 

Phil Brownnett (above), who is currently Managing Director of Geo Intelligence (UK), Airbus Defence and Space, will take up his new position on 1st February 2020, after a period of handover during January.

Sir Martin Sweeting, SSTL’s Executive Chairman said “I wish to thank Sarah for her significant contribution to the development of SSTL over many years and we wish her well in her future roles.  Phil brings industry expertise, leadership and business vision to the role and I am delighted to welcome him to SSTL.”

Advertisement
ODU RT

Phil Brownnett graduated as a Land Surveyor, initially working in Africa and Middle East in the Oil Exploration and engineering & construction business.  After returning to UK he was deployed on many large national infrastructure projects including Second Severn Crossing and Channel Tunnel Rail Link.  He is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS).

Phil joined the Intelligence division of Airbus Defence and Space in September 2003 as a senior manager and in October 2012, he was appointed the Managing Director of the Intelligence (UK) division of Airbus Defence and Space with responsibilities for reshaping and developing the UK Earth Observation business in line with changing markets and technologies.  Under his leadership, the business has evolved and achieved stability, growth and profitability.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle

Commenting on his new appointment Phil said “I am honoured and privileged to be appointed the Managing Director of SSTL, an emblematic company that has been successfully delivering innovation in the small sat market for over 30 years. The market is undergoing transformational change and we need to retain our agile working environment that encourages creativity and innovation, whilst focussing on the areas where we have a competitive advantage.  SSTL pioneered the small sat revolution and now we need to retain our position by adapting and ‘Doing Space Differently’.”
 

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
UK and Ukraine strengthen civil space cooperation

Space

UK and Ukraine strengthen civil space cooperation

18 March 2026

A landmark agreement between the UK Space Agency and State Space Agency of Ukraine (SSAU) will open a new chapter in civil and commercial space cooperation between the two countries.

Met Office launches MAVIS

Aerospace Security Space

Met Office launches MAVIS

18 March 2026

The Met Office have officially launched the Met Office Aeronautical Visualisation Service (MAVIS) - a next-generation aviation weather platform designed to support a rapidly evolving aviation landscape, from traditional crewed aircraft to emerging spaceport operations.

Viasat

Aerospace Space

Viasat's advanced in-flight connectivity selected by National Airlines

17 March 2026

Viasat today announced that its advanced in-flight connectivity has been selected by charter operator National Airlines to enhance the passenger experience onboard a new fleet of three Airbus A330 aircraft.

ODU joins the UN Global Compact

Aerospace Defence Security Space

ODU joins the UN Global Compact

17 March 2026

Manufacturer of connector systems, ODU, has joined the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the world’s largest sustainability and corporate responsibility initiative.

Advertisement
ODU RT
UK–South Africa partnership using AI to make telescopes smarter

Space

UK–South Africa partnership using AI to make telescopes smarter

16 March 2026

AI is set to transform how South Africa’s astronomical observatories operate, as the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Hartree Centre is working with the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), a centre for optical and infrared astronomy, to deliver the ‘Intelligent Observatory’ programme.

Cranfield University unveils wind-powered WANDER-bot

Space

Cranfield University unveils wind-powered WANDER-bot

13 March 2026

Researchers at Cranfield University have created WANDER-bot, a low-cost, 3D-printed robot that is powered by wind energy.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
Advertisement
Gulfstream banner