On Tuesday, 25th February 2025, the prestigious Raleigh Lecture took place at the historic Drapers’ Hall in London.
Organised with the invaluable support of the Drapers’ Company and the PDA Group, this flagship event brought together leading minds from business, defence, and space technology to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and analysts.
This year’s theme, "Catastrophe! Using Data from Space to Predict Catastrophic Events: How does this help business and society?", provided Year 12 students in Business Studies, Economics, Geography, and Physics with an unparalleled opportunity to explore the role of space-derived intelligence in mitigating global crises and driving economic success.
The event commenced with an introduction by James Talbot, Master of the Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs, followed by Past Master Entrepreneur and UDSS CO-Chair Peter Hewitt, who set the stage for an afternoon of exploration into cutting-edge technological advancements in space data and its implications for society.
Students then listened to three insightful presentations:
Steve Thornber CBE (Air Commodore Retd, RAF & UDSS Advisor) – "Intelligence Gathered through Data from Space: How does this Assist with Defence of the UK?"
Martin Soltau (CEO, Space Solar) – "Space-based Solar Power: Why UK Technology is Closer than you Think to Meeting a Pressing Societal Need"
Itamar Zabari (Founder and C-CEO, Astroteq) – "Predicting Earthquakes Using AI: A Multi-Messenger Approach to Save Lives and Reduce Damage to Property"
Following these thought-provoking discussions, students engaged in small-group workshops, facilitated by members of the Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs, where they explored how space technology can drive innovation and resilience in business and society.
In the evening session, Air Vice Marshal Paul Godfrey welcomed attendees for the main Raleigh Lecture, delivered by Professor Paul Davies, Chief Meteorologist at the UK Met Office. His talk, "Using Meteorological Data to Predict Extreme Weather: How this can Help to Avert Catastrophic Events," demonstrated how space-based meteorological intelligence is revolutionising early-warning systems, protecting lives, and informing strategic business decisions.
A dynamic panel discussion followed, moderated by Freeman Entrepreneur Veronica Heaven, where leading entrepreneurs, academics, and students explored how space data could shape the future of enterprise and defence.
Since its inception in 2018, the Raleigh Lecture has continued to be a cornerstone of business education, aligning with the Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs’ mission to promote enterprise through education. Established by Peter Hewitt to commemorate his ancestor, Sir Walter Raleigh, the event has consistently tackled key global themes affecting business and trade, from globalisation to sustainability and, more recently, space entrepreneurship.
The success of the Raleigh Lecture 2025 was made possible by the unwavering support of Peter Hewitt (Co-Chair, UDSS), Steve Thornber CBE (UDSS Advisor), the Drapers’ Company, and the PDA Group.
As we look to the future, the Raleigh Lecture will continue to evolve, reflecting the ever-changing landscape of business, technology, and global enterprise. This year’s discussions have reinforced the crucial role of space data in shaping our world, and we eagerly anticipate the next edition in 2026, where we will explore new frontiers in innovation and enterprise.