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A veteran Vodafone executive who claims to have transformed the telco’s relationship with the federal government has been hired as the new chief executive of the Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA).
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The appointment of Dan Lloyd comes months after the axing of the $3 billion JP9102 SATCOM project and also follows the cancellation of several other high-profile space contracts in 2023.
Lloyd held various senior positions globally at Vodafone for 15 years and advised the federal minister for communications. He is currently the group executive of regional telco Field Solutions Group.
JP 9102 aimed to deliver a new military satellite communications capability for Australia. Headed by Lockheed Martin, it was also supported by scores of other smaller local businesses.
Initial reports claimed the decision was taken due to budget constraints, but Defence Minister Richard Marles insisted it was instead axed because multiple LEO satellites are more secure from attacks than a single geostationary spacecraft, as planned by Lockheed.
Afterwards, Jeremy Hallett, SIAA chairman, argued the decision would make companies think twice about working with Defence in the future.
“While other OECD nations see sovereign space capability as critical to creating high-tech, high-value jobs and a military advantage, in our own backyard, we seem to be doing the exact opposite,” he said.
Lloyd is a high-profile executive who, on his LinkedIn profile, claims to have “led the turnaround and transformation of Vodafone Australia’s reputation, engagement and influence with government” while serving as chief strategy and corporate affairs director.
Aside from working at Vodafone, Lloyd also held senior roles at TPG, legal firm Gilbert + Tobin and was chair of the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association.
His appointment comes as the federal government doubles down on insisting the money for JP9102 will be reinvested into a replacement project.
“Dan brings an unusual breadth of experience across policy, regulation, strategy, governance, commercial leadership and international business, which will be invaluable to SIAA, its members and key stakeholders,” Hallett said of Lloyd’s appointment.
“Dan’s constructive approach and extensive experience is exactly what the space industry needs to go to the next level.”
Lloyd will succeed Lisa Vitaris, who assumed the top job on an interim basis after former chief executive Maria MacNamara resigned after just three months.
Vitaris will now concentrate on curating the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2025 event in Sydney on behalf of the SIAA.
“Australia has extraordinary competitive advantages in a host of space-related areas, not least our unique geography, stable regulatory environment, and a highly educated and innovative workforce and culture,” Lloyd said.
“It is a particularly exciting time when all eyes are on Australia with the landmark International Astronautical Congress in Sydney later this year. I look forward to ensuring Australia is able to capture the increasing benefits of the space industry for productivity, innovation, growth and defence.”
Despite the axing of JP 9102, space is playing an increasingly large role in telecommunications, particularly in regional areas of Australia that struggle to obtain good internet access.
Commercially, for example, Optus joined Telstra last year in offering customers Starlink via a satellite dish, while both telcos have also signed up to launch straight-to-mobile services when they become available.
