New Appointments News

Surrey Satellite Technology appoints Phil Brownnett as Managing Director

Brownett, who will take up his new position on February 1, 2020, will succeed Sarah Parker who is stepping down from the role to pursue other challenges. 

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) has announced the appointment of Phil Brownnett as Managing Director. 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. 

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).

Brownnett 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. He was responsible for reshaping and developing the UK Earth Observation business in line with changing markets and technologies.

Commenting on his new appointment, Brownnett 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’.”

Sir Martin Sweeting, SSTL’s Executive Chairman, added: “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.”