West of Scotland Space Cluster Advisory Board Terms of Reference

As a triple helix partnership between industry, academia, industry and economic development bodies, the cluster Terms of Reference provide a framework for how it accelerates sectoral growth, address critical issues such as skills and talent, enables innovation and collaboration, and broadly supports the promotion of the region across the UK and internationally.

The West of Scotland region makes a significant contribution towards the 12% of the UK’s space sector workforce based in Scotland. However, the sheer breadth of activity and opportunity, as well as the lack of a clearly defined “cluster” has proved a barrier to efficient coordination of supporting regional activity and to promoting more effective links with other UK regions and sectoral agencies such as UK Space Agency and the Satellite Applications Catapult.

To fill that gap, we have formed a new space cluster, the West of Scotland Space Cluster. The ambition is to build on the learning and impact from the Scottish Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications (SoXSA) which operated from the University of Strathclyde between 2014-2015. This Centre was aligned with a period of initial growth for the space sector in Glasgow, demonstrated by the continued growth of Scotland’s first space company, Clyde Space, the inward investment of Spire Global’s manufacturing facility and the generation of a number of start-ups focused on the space sector.

With the West of Scotland now home to a unique mix of space companies across the upstream (satellite integration and launch vehicles) and downstream (data services) domains, and its most established satellite companies (AAC Clyde Space and Spire Global) demonstrating significant growth in both capacity and sales, there is a clear opportunity to shape a more connected ecosystem to the benefit of all. The current Scottish Enterprise space directory highlights over 40 companies located in region. An updated space directory, covering all of Scotland, is currently under development by SE.

The potential addition of a future Space Port based at Prestwick International Airport, co-located with 50% of Scotland’s aerospace sector, represents another important asset in an evolving ecosystem. With SaxaVord Space Port delivering a Scottish / UK end-to-capability with development of its launch capability in 2024, the region is also well-placed strategically to serve as a mainland hub for R&D activity in support of launch companies.

Similarly, advanced manufacturing facilities such as National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult and supported by the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Island Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Renfrewshire Council, South of Scotland Enterprise, and the Scottish Funding Council), as well as recognised UK hubs of technical expertise in the both the optical and quantum domains. The region will be a critical component in Scotland achieving its ambitions of delivering on the UK’s National Space Strategy and plans to capture a £4 billion market share by 2030.

The initiative has been spearheaded by the University of Strathclyde, supported by the Scottish Government Ecosystem Fund, and developed in partnership with triple helix members, incorporating industry, economic development bodies and local councils, as well as regional

universities and colleges. The aim is to generate the cohesion needed to fully deliver regional and national Space priorities, more effectively leveraging the region’s status as Europe’s largest satellite manufacturing hub, its evolving launch vehicle capability and a globally recognised academic basis. The cluster, as well as providing a platform for new national and international space partnerships, can play a role in coordinating the training necessary to fill identified skills gaps.

The development of the West of Scotland Space Cluster has been endorsed by the UK Space Agency, Satellite Applications and a wide range of triple helix partners. The combination of these factors and partners places the region the strongest position it has been in for many years to capitalise on its long track record in space.

  • Plans for the West of Scotland Space Cluster have been discussed with a variety of industry, economic development and university/ college representatives, with additional collaboration with Space Scotland, the Satellite Applications Catapult and the UK Space Agency. Based on the initial development work a number of core objectives have been identified as being relevant to the first two years once the cluster is fully formed (expected by July 2024). The Advisory Group will help translate these objectives into actions relevant to the region, supportive of the commercial priorities of its industry partners and aligned with Scottish and UK sector objectives.

    The underlying objective is to increase economic growth (turnover and jobs), inward investment levels, address infrastructure needs, encourage private financial investment and the take-up of skills relevant to the space sector. The Group will also help coordinate collaborative bids for funding, particularly bids aligned with the National Space Strategy and UKSA priorities.

  • Members of the Advisory Group are to be drawn from industry, regional economic development organisations, national bodies and academia to represent the balanced mix of skills that will be required to drive regional innovation in the fast moving and highly-complex space sector. The West of Scotland Space Cluster aims to be “institutionally agnostic”, which is to say to always act in the interests of the wider region.

    To achieve this balance, as a minimum, the Advisory Group will comprise members from companies which clearly represent the region’s technical and commercial capabilities across the commercial space supply chain, as well as relevant supporting partner organisations or academic institutions.

    We will also offer a standing invitation to a representative from the UK Space Agency and UK Space. The appointment of new Group members will require approval from a supermajority (defined as two-thirds) of existing members.

  • It is imperative that the Advisory Group has members covering the full range of experience, skills and insight derived from backgrounds in space research/innovation/strategy and commercial/industry together with regional growth, inward investment and skills development. For example, required capabilities might include one or more of:

    • Expertise in the development and commercialisation of space technologies, research and innovation (include insight into the needs of SMEs)

    • Deep sector knowledge for specific space industries (e.g. satellite operations, launch vehicles)

    • Senior responsibility within a regional or national economic development or support organisation with an interest in the space sector (potentially including inward investment and international trade expertise)

    • Agree on initial cluster strategic priorities and associated actions/ activities

    • Ensure strategic coherence of cluster activities (including, where possible, those involving strategic partners e.g. Scottish Enterprise, Space Scotland, Glasgow City Council), define the long-term vision and strategy and approve proposals for new activity.

    • Set, monitor and review Cluster strategy/ activities/KPIs.

    • Supporting the Cluster and its partners in seeking appropriate routes to develop the Cluster’s operational team and deliver resources to continue to grow activity beyond year 1.

    • Advisory Group members will serve in a voluntary capacity

    • Members will be expected to attend quarterly board meetings (in-person with video capability), providing an alternate if unable to attend

    • Members will agree to meet ad-hoc, online or in person, if required to respond to an unexpected priority, as agreed by a majority of Group members

    • If agreed by a majority of Group members, set up Working Groups to focus on areas of particular priority

    • Members will serve 2-year terms, with the option to serve an additional 1-year term with approval of a supermajority of Advisory Group members.

    • The role of Group Chair / Co-Chair will also be reviewed every two years.