Natasha Nicolson

Dr. Natasha Nicholson is the CEO of Space Scotland, the government-endorsed national body representing Scotland’s thriving space sector. Under her leadership, Space Scotland champions innovation, collaboration, and strategic alignment across industry, academia, and government — ensuring the nation remains at the forefront of global space activity.

Natasha began her career in space research, completing a PhD preparing microbial samples and hardware for experiments on the International Space Station. She went on to join the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, where she built connections across the Space, HealthTech, and EnergyTech clusters, driving cross-sector partnerships.

After returning to Scotland in 2020, Natasha helped build international research networks through the European Crucible before leading the transition of the Scottish Space Leadership Council into a formal national cluster — Space Scotland— in 2022. Having secured long-term funding and established a strong foundation, she went on to found an R&D company, leading collaborations across the UK, EU, and US to adapt cutting-edge terrestrial technologies for the space market.

Rejoining Space Scotland as CEO in 2025, Natasha is focused on driving greater investment into the region and strengthening Scotland’s position as a global leader in the space economy.