A £14.7 million investment from Scottish Enterprise – an agency of the SNP Government - in a satellite company will help create more than 260 jobs in Scotland’s space sector.
On a visit to Spire Global, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP announced that the Glasgow-based company has received one of the largest funding packages ever provided by Scottish Enterprise.
Spire Global builds, tests and operates nanosatellites tracking aviation, maritime and weather patterns. The investment will enable it to move into new 40,000sq ft premises at Glasgow’s Skypark facility and increase its local workforce from 60 to 320 over the next five years.
The First Minister said:
“Our space sector is already punching above its weight, with almost one fifth of all UK jobs in this industry based north of the border and Scotland producing more small satellites than any other country in Europe.
“This £14.7 million investment will help Spire Global develop its infrastructure and technologies, which in turn will create dozens of high-tech and highly skilled jobs and training opportunities in Scotland’s space sector.
“Only five years ago I announced Spire Global was creating 50 jobs by opening its office in Scotland. To see the rapid expansion of this innovative company shows the strength of our workforce and pool of talent coming from our world class universities. This sends a strong message that even in these uncertain times, Scotland remains open for business and has the potential to be Europe’s leading space nation.”
CEO of Spire Global, Peter Platzer added:
“Glasgow has been a fantastic location for us, with exceptional talent and people with a phenomenal ‘can-do’ attitude and true grit. We are excited to substantially expand our presence here and look forward to the continuation of strong partnerships within Scotland, the UK Space Agency, and the wider UK space ecosystems.”
Charlie Smith, Managing Director, International Development, Strategy and Technology at Scottish Enterprise said:
“This total support package of almost £15 million for Spire Global underscores our commitment to make Scotland Europe’s leading space nation.
“Providing support to innovative international companies, such as Spire Global, to allow it to flourish in Scotland is a major priority for Scottish Enterprise as part of our Strategic Framework. Scottish Enterprise looks forward to continuing to work in partnership with Spire Global as the company significantly enhances its presence in Glasgow.”
Kenneth Gibson MSP added:
“The SNP Programme for Government for 2019/20 sets out Scotland’s ambitions to have a £4 billion share of the global space market by 2030.
“As someone who sees Scottish space and aerospace as industries with massive potential and who vocally argued for Prestwick to be the spaceport of choice for a Scottish launch facility, I am really pleased at this Scottish Enterprise investment.
“In addition, Spire Global’s immediate proximity to the M8 provides an exciting opportunity for people living in North Ayrshire who want to work in this innovative industry.”
Scottish Enterprise is a non-departmental public body tasked with helping to deliver the SNP Government’s Economic Strategy for Scotland which aims to create a more productive, cohesive and fairer society.
ENDS
