Professor Joanne Wheeler, MBE
Joanne is a leading international expert in the field of satellite and space law, policy, regulation, spectrum issues and commercial contracts, having worked at Ofcom, the European Space Agency and for over 25 years in private legal practice in this area. She was awarded an MBE for services to the UK space industry, won the Financial Times European Legal Innovator of the Year award and is ranked Tier 1 in legal directories.
Joanne has been backed by the UK Government, industry and the insurance community to set up and lead the Earth & Space Sustainability Initiative (ESSI). As part of ESSI, Joanne works with the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI) – set up by King Charles III – and is a member of their Advisory Council, task force and CEO committee.
She is the co-founder and Chair of the Satellite Finance Network and the Prospero Space Fellowship, as well as a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and Royal Aeronautical Society, and Co-Chair of the National Space Centre. She Co-Chairs the UK Government’s Spaceflight Safety and Regulatory Council and was appointed as an honorary Professor by the University of Leicester in 2022.
Joanne has been recognised in Who’s Who Legal, International Advisory Experts, Expert Guides and Chambers and Partners as a leading individual and expert in the Communications, Data, Transport, Satellite and Space sector.
As well as writing a regular column for leading global industry journal Via Satellite, Joanne is invited to speak at many international satellite conferences and is often quoted in the media. She also authors and edits The Space Law Review, published by Lexology.