Professor Woodward honoured for NESST space centre

Professor John Woodward’s has been recognised for his work developing the new North East Space Skills and Technology (NESST) centre. He is the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) at Northumbria University where the £50 million centre is based.

North East

Specifically, he wins the Business Person of the Year title in this year’s North East Business Awards.

“I’ve described NESST to many people by saying we used to build ships on the Tyne and now we’re going to build spaceships,” said Woodward at the awards. “For me, this perfectly describes the natural evolution of the region’s industrial base towards the new industries of the future.

“NESST is a huge collaborative effort which will play an essential role in launching the UK as a space superpower, reaping huge benefits the North East on every level. I am delighted that NESST has been so well received by the region’s business community, and I am equally delighted to accept the award on behalf of everyone involved in NESST.”

His work involves local and national government, regional, national and international industry bodies. Basically, driving the development of the centre.

NESST

NESST, involving a partnership with the UK Space Agency and Lockheed Martin UK Space, will create around 350 jobs and inject £260 million into the North East economy over the next 30 years. Its based on Northumbria’s city campus in Newcastle.

The centre plans to bring together industry and academia to collaborate on international space research and technological developments. It also aims is to catalyse the wider development of the UK space sector in the North East region.

The North East Business Awards celebrate “the best in innovation, entrepreneurship, technology and creativity”. They highlight the people and businesses making a difference in the region.

See also: UKSA backs Northumbria University for FSO CubeSats