26 September 2019 Aus-UK Chamber: The New Space Economy with the Australian and UK Space Agencies

Join the Australian Space Agency’s Mr Karl Rodrigues, the UK Space Agency’s Dr Alice Bunn, Informed Solutions’ Seth Finegan and Government of South Australia’s Bill Muirhead AM for a briefing on the commercial applications of space across industry and the future of Australian-UK space collaboration.

Thursday 26th September 2019

6:00PM – 8:30PM

Venue

With the breaking announcement yesterday that Australia and the UK will develop the world’s first ‘Space Bridge’ to unlock greater collaboration between the two countries, we’re looking forward to hearing from the Australian & UK Space Agencies tomorrow on the opportunities the Bridge will bring for businesses and the impact it has on Australia’s growing place in international space cooperation.

With the increasing convergence of the space industry and digital technology, businesses should be closely observing the importance of Geospatial Intelligence, which combines satellite-harvested big data and emerging technologies, including machine learning and artificial intelligence to drive exciting new applications – from tracking weather patterns, to enabling safe air travel, mapping agricultural production and developing clean solar energy sources.

The Chamber is delighted to welcome Mr Karl Rodrigues from the Australian Space Agency and Dr Alice Bunn from the UK Space Agency to speak on the mission of the national space agencies, their future priorities and what impacts it will have on business.

Last places remaining, RSVPs close by 5PM Wednesday 25^th September.

Karl Rodrigues, Executive Director, National and International Engagement, Australian Space Agency

Karl is responsible for developing relationships with International Space Agencies as well as engaging with Australian industry, domestic agencies, research institutions and state and territory governments to help grow the Australian space sector.

Karl has over 25 years of experience in innovation, venture investment, research, development and commercialisation of technology. Karl was Deputy Director for CSIRO Energy responsible for the Business Unit strategy, science investment and operations. He delivered science impact, leadership and direction to the Business Unit including the creation of the Hydrogen Future Science Platform to create a new energy security and export opportunity for Australia.

Prior to the CSIRO, Karl worked for companies such as Intel, Digital Equipment Corporation and The Hong Kong Jockey Club as well as US high-tech start-ups. Upon returning to Australia, Karl managed Intel Capital ANZ where he invested in several Australian and New Zealand companies and also enjoyed launching a number of start-up companies in Australia and South-East Asia

Dr Alice Bunn, International Director, UK Space Agency

Dr Alice Bunn is the International Director at the UK Space Agency, responsible for international engagement through multilateral and bilateral frameworks, capturing the wider societal benefits of space programmes and harnessing the inspirational effect of space for skills and education. She also leads security and resilience of the UK’s infrastructure and space applications.

Alice is also Vice Chair of the Council of the European Space Agency and sits on the Board of Directors at the US Space Foundation. She is a member of the Imperial Space Lab Strategic Advisory Board; Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum Future Council on space technology; and is a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Seth Finegan, UK CEO, Informed Solutions

With a passion for business transformation, particularly through better use of GIS and location intelligence, he leads a multi-disciplinary team of experts that have received widespread praise for their innovation and professionalism.

Seth has managed award-winning programmes, projects and services which have delivered successful business transformation to major government departments, emergency services and commercial organisations. These have included digital transformation strategies, complex online digital services for sensitive and secure environments, and global organisation and operating models.

He is an elected member of techUK’s Public Sector Board and a former council member of the UK Association of Geographic Information.

As UK CEO, he plays a key role in the Company’s ongoing growth and has been with Informed Solutions for over 20 years.

Bill Muirhead AM, Agent General for South Australia

Bill Muirhead AM is the Agent General for South Australia and he is the former Chief Executive and President of Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide.

His work in advertising helped advance the interests of the Conservative Party in 1991 and he led the team that helped the party win the 1992 election. With Jeremy Sinclair, he picked up the Conservative Party’s election
campaign in 2015, which again saw the party elected with a clear majority.

In April 2007 he was appointed Agent General for South Australia by Premier Mike Rann. His appointment was extended by Premier Jay Weatherill in 2015. Bill started the first South Australia Club in London in 2011 – the Club is a proven success, now in its seventh year and
growing rapidly in membership and reputation.

In 2013, Bill became a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia, for significant service to the community of South Australia through the promotion of international trade.