Luxembourg’s Space Ambitions Take Centre Stage at BCC Leadership Forum
“Space is no longer science fiction—it’s strategy.” That was one of the core messages at this year’s Leadership Forum, hosted by the British Chamber of Commerce for Luxembourg on 22 October 2025, under the theme: Leadership & Space.
Held at the Banque de Luxembourg, the event brought together a diverse panel of leaders from Luxembourg’s flourishing space sector to reflect on the opportunities, challenges, and evolving leadership required to succeed in one of the world’s most complex industries.
Luxembourg: Small Nation, Big Orbit
Opening the evening, Andrew Notter, Chair of the BCC, welcomed the audience and highlighted the Chamber’s commitment to supporting emerging sectors in Luxembourg. Marko Lukovic, CFO of the Luxembourg Space Agency, followed with a clear message: Luxembourg is not dabbling in space—it is serious about it. From the planned Space Campus at ParcLuxite to its strategic positioning in the commercial space ecosystem, the country continues to punch well above its weight.
The panel—moderated by Lukovic and leadership coach Dr Keith Amoss—featured:
– Jaroslaw Jaworski, CEO of Edge Aerospace
– Kathryn Hadler, Director of ESRIC
– Fabien Loeffler, VP Business Transformation, SES
– Sabrina Alam, Director at KPMG and EU Space Lead
The Business of Space
One of the first themes explored was the future of the space economy. Panelists agreed: this is not just about satellites and astronauts. The industry has become deeply interdisciplinary, requiring engineers, yes—but also business developers, legal minds, creatives, and strategists.
Jaroslaw Jaworski called the space sector a “mature industry” that now demands creativity, innovation, and research just as much as technical excellence. Kathryn Hadler highlighted space mining as an area rapidly gaining importance, particularly as nations eye resource-rich zones on the Moon. Jaworski elaborated on the geopolitical race between the US and China for control of 16 strategic lunar locations with high resource potential.
Fabien Loeffler of SES stressed the sector’s tight links with government, arguing that long-term success depends on consistent, visionary public support. But challenges remain. Luxembourg, as Sabrina Alam noted, is still seen globally as a newcomer. Jaworski cited hiring difficulties, EU regulatory hurdles, and the high cost of living as ongoing concerns.
Rethinking Leadership in the Space Age
The conversation soon shifted to leadership. With missions costing millions and timelines stretching over years, space leadership requires a mindset unlike any other.
“Failure isn’t the right word,” said both Hadler and Alam. What’s needed, they argued, is a learning culture—one that views iteration as essential and knowledge-sharing as survival. Loeffler summed it up neatly: “If you fail, fail fast. Learn fast.”
Jaworski, however, pointed out that not all parts of the industry have room for error: “You don’t get to fail on a Moon or Mars mission,” he said. Still, he emphasized the importance of continuous learning and revealed that Edge Aerospace offers its employees an unlimited book budget to fuel personal development. On the topic of emerging tech, he was blunt: “Adapt or die. AI is not optional anymore.”
Talent, Team-Building, and Trust
In a small, competitive market, hiring and talent retention are major concerns. Startups, Jaworski said, need more than just technical skills—they need people they can trust deeply. “Every hire is a marriage,” he quipped.
Loeffler, by contrast, took a broader view: “Every person we develop—even if they leave—is a net gain for the space ecosystem.” Sabrina Alam, now with KPMG but formerly at SES, personified that point.
A Final Message
Asked to share one key takeaway, the panelists’ closing message was clear: Luxembourg’s space sector is open for talent. It offers rewarding, meaningful careers—not only for those who dream of rockets, but also for those who are willing to lead, learn, and grow in a complex, rapidly evolving environment.
As the panel wrapped up and guests moved to the cocktail reception, one thing was clear: Space isn’t just Luxembourg’s future—it’s already here.
Written by Claudia Neumeister, Luxdates & Chair BCC People & Leadership Group
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