FEBRUARY2026
Member Introduction by Alan Fisher, CEO
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Well January flew by, FAC attended the launch meetings for the Local Innovation Partnership Fund (LIPF) along with various industry bodies and academia hosted by Southampton and Portsmouth University. We are also re-visiting the Local Skills Innovation Program that we published in 2023, to understand the changes since then and set out the key changes needed to make technical skills training more responsive to employers’ skills need and explore the ways in which businesses would like to be involved in supporting the local skills and training systems available.
I was delighted to attend the opening of the new Airbus Launchpad in Stevenage, a cutting‑edge collaborative lab and workspace designed to accelerate innovation, partnership, and SME growth across the UK’s space sector. This facility will strengthen the UK’s position as a global leader in space innovation.
The event welcomed senior representatives from across the industry, including Kata Escott CB, UK Head of Airbus Defence and Space, and Kevin Bonavia MP for Stevenage. Also Craig Brown - Director of Investment, UK Space Agency!
Our next Member Networking Event is being held at Vision Engineering Ltd a leading-edge manufacturer of patented optical and digital stereo microscopes and non-contact measuring systems. I cannot recommend this event more highly as some of the technology they use is off the chart! If you haven’t registered yet then please contact Rachel Abethell
I am pleased to announce that we have five new members: Axis Global Freight Services Ltd, Unite Procurement UK Ltd, Nexus (GB) Ltd, Surface Technology International Ltd and Consultavia Ltd, I’m sure you’ll join us in welcoming them to the team.
As always, the membership team is always here and should you need any support or help in anyway, please do not hesitate to contact us direct. If you wish to contact Alan Fisher, please email him HERE.
FAC continues to identify topics that that are of interest, but if you have a particular topic you wish to be shared, please email kim.yeomans@fac.org.uk.
Onwards and Upwards
Alan
