Surrey Research Park and UK Space Agency Strengthen Resilience across UK Space Supply Chain

Surrey Research Park was delighted to welcome experts from the UK Space Agency’s National Security team at the end of April as part of proactive action to bolster resilience against threats targeting UK space and space-related companies.  

The visit came at a pivotal time for the Park, as it continues to welcome new and support scaling up of space-led businesses operating and innovating at the forefront of technology within its Space Enterprise Quarter community.

It was the first time the UK Space Agency had delivered this specific resilience training to teams managing the operations, business ecosystem engagement and communications at a UK research park, operating at the heart of the UK’s space supply chain.

The training was tailored to help teams at the Park and from the University’s Surrey Space Institute understand how today’s geopolitical landscape means UK space companies face unique security challenges.

To support Park teams, the security experts provided guidance on identifying and responding to human-led hostile activities.  

In March the UK Space Agency, now part of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, called on organisations across the nation to help raise the profile of the UK space sector on the global stage.

With many companies developing and producing technologies such as AI, photonics, advanced manufacturing and health-tech, the Park, as part of the University of Surrey, was eager to support the UK government’s ambitions.  

Recognising these sensitive technologies are highly sought after by hostile actors, the Park partnered with the agency to shape a national security programme designed to bolster its resilience and help mitigate risks.  

Caroline Fleming, Director of Surrey Innovation District and Innovation lead at Surrey Research Park, part of the University of Surrey, said:

“We’re incredibly grateful to the UK Space Agency for providing this resilience support. Surrey Research Park has been supporting innovators working on high-value technologies for more than four decades, but It’s clear today’s pioneers – especially those in the space sector -are facing an increasingly sophisticated array of threats.

“By partnering with the UK Space Agency’s national security experts, we’re signalling to business leaders the Park and Surrey Innovation District understands the realities of running a successful space or frontier tech business. To government we’re acknowledging our responsibility as a location of choice for space companies. And to everyone else we’re saying we understand the threats the space and tech sector faces and we’re prepared.”

A spokesperson for the UK Space Agency added:

“The UK Space Agency is committed to strengthening the resilience of the UK’s space sector and the wider supply chain that supports it, particularly as it becomes an increasingly attractive target for hostile actors.

“Our engagement with Surrey Research Park reflects the proactive, partnership-based approach we are taking; working with organisations at the heart of innovation ecosystems to raise awareness of threats and support practical resilience measures.

“Surrey Research Park and the University of Surrey play a key role in supporting companies developing sensitive technologies, and their commitment to resilience sends a strong signal across the sector. We will continue to work with partners to ensure the UK remains both a leading and secure space nation.”