Dr. David Parker

Biography

David Parker was appointed chief executive in January 2013, following an open, competitive process. He is also head of the UK’s delegation to the European Space Agency (ESA) and former chair of ESA’s Programme Board for Human Spaceflight, Microgravity and Exploration.

After studying aeronautics and astronautics as an undergraduate, David completed a doctorate on wind tunnel magnetic suspension technology, under a grant from NASA’s Langley Research Center. In the private sector he worked on studies for new science missions for XMM-Newton, Rosetta and Herschel. He then did business development, winning contracts for projects such as ADM Aeolus, LISA Pathfinder, JWST and the rover for the ExoMars mission.

Since 2004 David has worked for public sector space organisations such as the British National Space Centre, and has represented Britain on space-related matters both nationally and internationally.