Dr Michael O’Callaghan
Head of Future Programmes, Airbus Defence and Space UK
Mike is a leader within the UK’s Defence and Space community, with experience across a diverse range of roles within both the public and private sector, working across industry and academia, and with national and international Governments and agencies. He is a graduate from the University of Nottingham where he obtained his PhD in Chemistry, and is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Mike spent 15 years at Dstl, the research agency of the UK Ministry of Defence, undertaking a range of both corporate and technical leadership roles, leading their Space Systems Programme through a period of significant growth between 2017 and 2023. This supported the development of the Defence Space Portfolio, as well as delivering R&D for which both him and his programme team won several awards including MOD Chief Scientist, Minister (Defence Procurement) awards, and commendations for International collaboration.
Mike moved to Airbus Defence and Space in early 2023 as Head of Future Programmes. His role includes support to Airbus UK defence space strategy, delivery of some key defence space projects, and leadership of the Airbus Research, Experimentation and Demonstration (RED) Hub growing business within the UK Defence S&T and R&D ecosystem.