Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) has appointed Phil Brownnett as Managing Director, succeeding Sarah Parker who is stepping down from the role to pursue new challenges.
Phil Brownnett, who is currently Managing Director of Geo Intelligence (UK), Airbus Defence and Space, will take up his new position on February 1, 2020, after a period of handover during January.
Phil Brownnett
Phil Brownnett graduated as a Land Surveyor, initially working in Africa and Middle East in the Oil Exploration and engineering and 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 of 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.
Sir Martin Sweeting, SSTL’s Executive Chairman, thanked Sarah for her significant contribution to the development of SSTL over many years and wished well in her future roles. Phil brings industry expertise, leadership and business vision to the role and the company is delighted to welcome him to SSTL.
Commenting on his new appointment, Phil added that he is honored and privileged to be appointed the Managing Director of SSTL, an emblematic company that has been successfully delivering innovation in the smallsat market for over 30 years. The market is undergoing transformational change and the firm needs to retain its agile working environment that encourages creativity and innovation, while focusing on the areas where SSTL has a competitive advantage. SSTL pioneered the smallsat revolution and needs to retain this position by adapting and ‘Doing Space Differently’.