ManSat Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Chris Stott has been appointed President of the Society of Satellite Professionals International, the satellite industry’s largest global professional association.

The announcement was made last week in Washington DC during the industry’s largest annual gathering, the Satellite 2014 conference.

Chris, who has been a member of the SSPI for more than 20 years, and is Chairman of the organisation’s local chapter in the Isle of Man, has served as a Board member (Vice-President for Education) with the global SSPI for the last four years.

‘This is great for the Isle of Man and our growing industry,’ said Chris, who will serve a two-year term as President. ‘Personally, it’s an honour and a privilege, but most importantly I hope the appointment can help further elevate the Island’s growing position in the global space industry.’

A non-profit organisation, the SSPI works to promote the development of, and access to, high quality satellite related education through scholarships, developing curricula, conferences and publishing the world’s first online journal on space communications.

It also works to advance the careers of those working within the satellite industry, creating opportunities for them to network and to work together.

The SSPI Board represents a cross-section of the commercial satellite business around the globe, from manufacturing to launch to services.

Minister for Economic Development John Shimmin said: ‘I would like to congratulate Chris on this appointment which will undoubtedly strengthen the links for our local SSPI chapter. Chris Stott and his company ManSat are prominent within the Isle of Man’s Space sector and this appointment will help to promote the expertise of our well-established satellite and space technology cluster.’

Tom Maher, Managing Partner of Dougherty Quinn, one of the Isle of Man's leading law firms, and Vice-Chairman of the Isle of Man SSPI chapter, commented: ‘I am absolutely thrilled for Chris. This is great news for the SSPI Isle of Man chapter and well deserved global recognition for all the good work Chris has undertaken for the Isle of Man space & satellite industry.

‘Chris's infectious enthusiasm for all things space is one of the many attributes that make him a perfect man to lead SSPI for the next few years.’

For more information about SSPI, visit www.sspi.org.