Our Team

Dr Hina Khan has recently taken up the first ever Executive Director role at Space Scotland, a not-for-profit company formed through an industry-led group seeking to develop the space sector in Scotland.

As ED, Hina will pull together the sector, championing the unique end to end capability of space in Scotland, engaging directly with UK and Scottish Governments to enable growth of the sector and capture opportunities that can be overcome through effective use of the Scottish Space Ecosystem.

Hina has an extensive background in the space sector, with a PhD in Space Science from the University of Leicester followed by a 10yr research career in space science data analytics from NASA, ESA and UCL. She transitioned to knowledge exchange and business development activity and successfully integrated non-space sectors with space and satellite applications, driving growth in areas of data science, analytics and technology of space applications. Following this, Hina moved into leadership roles, firstly as the Innovation Lead at the Scottish Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications and then to Spire as the programme lead for a large portfolio of delivering world leading satellite technology development.

Hina also lead on Spire UK stakeholder engagement activity, regular deputising for senior management at key events with Government and UK officials from the space sector.  Hina is a Board member for GNOSIS – Global Network on Sustainability In Space and was involved in the development workshops which lead to the first ever Space Sustainability Roadmap, in partnership with Space Scotland.

John Innes is a Chartered Engineer, Physicist and Professor of Cyber & Data Security with over thirty five years of experience in the design, development and implementation of new technologies and systems for major companies in the aerospace and defence sectors.

John has held Senior Management and Chief Engineer/Chief Technology Officer roles managing, directing and leading technical development and change programmes, including digital transformation of products, systems, organisations and businesses.

John is the Non-Executive Board Chairperson of Space Scotland and is also a Non-Executive Director of NHS Lothian and on the Advisory Board of the Leverhulme Center for Forensic Science.

Professor Andy Mount is currently the Dean of Research and Strategic Partnerships in the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Edinburgh.  He leads strategic research, impact and innovation development across the seven Schools and College Centres, including strategic partnerships and signature institute activities both nationally and globally.  Andy is also Professor of Physical Electrochemistry in the School of Chemistry, with personal research interests including electrochemistry, modified electrodes, sensors and biosensors, micro- and nanoelectrode arrays, molten salts and clean energy.  He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and has been Chair of the League of European Research Universities (LERU) Deans of Natural Science Policy Group, a member of the UK SPRINT space Board and a past member of the Scottish Science Advisory Council, which provides policy advice to the Scottish Government.

Daniel Smith is Director and a former Chair of Space Scotland and founder of strategic space marketing firm, AstroAgency. A legal graduate who has played a founding role in four UK space companies, he co-authored the Scottish Space Strategy and co-founded Space Scotland working groups that include the Environmental Task Force, New Voices in Space and the UK Spaceports Alliance.

Daniel has been nominated for three Sir Arthur Clarke awards for his services to the UK space sector, notably in the areas of sustainability and educational outreach, as well as being a Great British Entrepreneur of the Year Award finalist. A passionate advocate for a sustainable approach to launch and in-orbit activity, Daniel has spoken on the sector’s environmental impact and the role of geospatial data in the drive to net zero with CNN, BBC and on stage at the Dubai Expo, Korea Space Forum, London Science Museum and United Nations events. He is a guest columnist for the Scotsman newspaper, covering ’new space’ updates and the Scottish sector’s development.

A member of the Space Safety & Sustainability UK government advisory group, European Space Agency Business Incubation Centres Steering Group, CPG for Space at the Scottish Parliament, UK Space Agency Ignite Space organising committee and a long-term participant of the LaunchUK Industry Group, he also acts as an Advisory Board member and mentor for the UKSEDS student space charity.

Gordon Venters is a Director and board member of Space Scotland Company and brings more than forty years experience of work in both private and public sector organisations in the UK and overseas.

An Electronics and Electrical Engineering graduate of Heriot-Watt University, he enjoyed a long and varied international career with IBM before returning to Scotland to senior positions in electronics manufacturing.

He joined Scottish Enterprise in 2010 and led the sector team for Aerospace, Defence and Marine then latterly was Head of High Value Manufacturing and closely involved in the inception of the National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland. He retired from SE in 2019.