SPRINT, the national business support programme for SMEs to engage with top UK space universities, has appointed two senior space sector professionals to its Steering Board.
The existing SPRINT Board members will be joined by Matthew Stuttard of Airbus Defence and Space and Yasrine Ibnyahya, director, advanced concepts and technologies at Inmarsat.
The £4.8 million SPRINT (Space Research and Innovation Network for Technology) programme provides access to university space expertise and facilities. SPRINT helps businesses through the commercial exploitation of space data and technologies.
Matthew Stuttard is currently head of space technical strategy and R&D for the UK at Airbus Defence and Space, based in Portsmouth. Previously, he was the UK advanced concepts architect, most recently developing a Vast Antenna (VASANT) concept for future high capacity satellite communications.
Commenting on his new position, Matthew Stuttard said: “I was keen to join the SPRINT Board to help create new opportunities between smaller space companies and the larger space systems integrators in the UK. I also see benefits in promoting expansion of the SPRINT network to include a wider range of ‘space active’ universities in the UK.”
Yasrine Ibnyahya is responsible for creating and leading technology innovation since joining Inmarsat in 2011. Today, Yasrine is responsible for leading breakthrough innovations and early stage mission concepts. She has become the bridge between external trends and Inmarsat’s strategic technology roadmap. She also leads Inmarsat’s start-up and entrepreneurship engagement initiatives.
