Introduction

In this lecture Dr Williams will discuss the space programme of the British National Space Centre (BNSC). Last year, BNSC's partners spent £198 million on space programmes - about 65% of which was the UK's contribution to European Space Agency projects like Cassini-Huygens, Envisat and Galileo. BNSC is owned and managed by its partners - eleven government departments and research councils that together represent the interests of UK science, commerce, education and industry.

This is an early opportunity to discuss with the new head of Britain's space agency what the UK will be doing in space for the next 5 years. The title "returning eye view" reflects the fact that Dr Williams worked in BNSC in the 1990s before moving to Europe's weather satellite agency in Germany. He brings back with him an understanding of the European dimension to space, which is increasingly important in the debate about the UK's role in Galileo, GMES and planetary exploration, and as manned spaceflight returns to the UK agenda.

David Williams took up the post of Director General of the BNSC on 1 May 2006. He had been Head of Strategy and International Relations with EUMETSAT since 1996. His previous experience includes working in the UK with BNSC and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Welcoming the appointment, Lord Sainsbury said: "I am delighted we have managed to attract David Williams back to the UK to take up this important post. He brings us extensive experience of how space is used internationally for 'down-to-earth' benefit."

Dr Williams is the first Director General to be recruited by open competition since BNSC was created in 1985. He will be responsible to the UK Space Board, chaired by Professor Keith Mason, Chief Executive of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC). Prof Mason said: "It is vital that we recruit the very best person for this role, someone who embodies the breadth of international experience that will be necessary to maximise the assets of the BNSC partnership for the benefit of UK. In appointing David Williams to this post we have achieved that objective. I look forward to working with David in what is an extremely exciting and challenging time".

Accepting the appointment, David Williams said: "I believe that this is a time of opportunity for the UK space community. International space investments made over many years are now driving innovation and bearing fruit in changing people's lives. Satellite navigation is just one example, but even here we are only at the start of what will be an ongoing revolution."