UK Space Agency to lose its head in November

It has been announced that the Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, David Williams, will be leaving in November to become Group Executive of Australia's national science agency, the Information Sciences at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

Williams was appointed Director General of the British National Space Centre (BNSC) in May 2006, and became the Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency on its creation in April 2010.  Williams also became Chairman of ESA Council.  In both roles, he has overseen the opening of a new European Space Agency centre at Harwell and presided over the creation fo the International Space Innovation Centre there.  In his time in post, Williams has also overseen the creation of hte National Space Technology Programme and the Catapult programme benefiting satellite applications.