Former UKspace Director, Lizzie Kerr, awarded MBE for services to the space sector

Former UKspace Director, Lizzie Kerr, has been awarded an MBE in the 2025 New Year Honours for her services to the space sector. She led the official trade association of the UK space industry for nearly six years, until her retirement in July 2024.

Building upon almost two decades’ industry experience with Inmarsat, Lizzie transformed UKspace during her tenure, representing the views of its members and establishing it as the voice of Britain’s space industry.

This was particularly important during the latter stages of her role, as the sector adjusted to Ministerial churn and a significantly changed political landscape.

Under Lizzie’s leadership, UKspace’s key achievements included raising awareness of space and creating stronger cross-linkages on space within and between government departments. This ensured a strong industry voice in the formulation of the Space Industrial Plan and for industry in the Space Partnership. She also strengthened policy development and engagement with academia, and raised public awareness of the impact and benefits of space-based technology and data, through the organisation’s #ThanksSpace campaign.

Lizzie said: “This award was such a surprise, but such an enormous honour for me and for the UKspace team, as this is a team recognition honour. I am delighted that UKspace has a solid place in the UK space ecosystem and that it will continue to thrive. A huge thank you to all in the UKspace family. I will treasure this award.”

UKspace Chair, Doug Liddle, congratulated Lizzie on her award, adding: “The UKspace team is delighted that Lizzie has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours list. As the culmination of her career in space, Lizzie transformed UKspace in her tenure as UKspace Director into the authoritative, independent trade association we needed to champion the sector.”

UKspace have had an office at BASE Bordon Innovation Centre since March 2020 and continue to be a part of the community. BASE’s Centre Manager, Aaron Bunney said: “Myself and BASE team want to congratulate Lizzie for receiving such a great award. It is a testament to the hard work lizzie has done over her career and we are honoured to have supported her and the rest of the UKspace team with an office space since 2020 and we hope we can continue to do so for may more years to come”