David Willetts. Photo: Policy Exchange (Flickr)

[Via Satellite 10-29-2015] David Willetts, former U.K. minister for science and universities, has joined Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.’s (SSTL) board as a non-executive director.

Willetts served the U.K. Government Cabinet Office as minister of science and universities in 2010. During his tenure, which came to an end in 2014, he was a strong supporter of the U.K. space sector, visiting SSTL on numerous occasions. In August of this year, Willetts received nomination for a life peerage in the House of Lords.

“David has long been an advocate of British science and technology excellence, and a tireless ambassador for promoting and encouraging the growth of the U.K. space sector. We are delighted that he has accepted the appointment to our board, and we believe that David’s breadth of experience in the fields of education and science will be beneficial to SSTL’s strategic goals and our focus on innovative solutions to space-based applications,” said Martin Sweeting, executive chairman of SSTL.