Kleos Space S.A. (ASX: KSS, Frankfurt: KS1), a space-powered defence & intelligence technology company, announces the transition of the Chief Executive Officer role from Andy Bowyer to Alan Khalili is complete, effective 1 January 2023. Co-founder and Executive Director Andy Bowyer remains on the Board and assumes the role of Chief Strategy Officer, ensuring a seamless transition and continuity for customers and partners.

Mr Khalili is a U.S. citizen with more than two decades of senior management experience across Data-as-a-Service, aerospace, satellite, wireless voice, and Internet of Things (IoT) industries. He brings first-hand experience in commercialising space-based tech, gained at global aircraft tracking company Aireon LLC, which uses a hosted payload on a third-party satellite to collect data.

Kleos’ executive change to a U.S. citizen will help with the execution of the significant market opportunity for provision of intelligence products in the USA – the world’s largest defence intelligence market. Increased engagement with the U.S. intelligence community should also support the acquisition of high-value government contracts in other markets.

Commenting on the appointment, Alan Khalili said, “Kleos is at an exciting juncture in its growth trajectory, with its Vigilance Mission satellites now delivering data to feed our signal processing technology. In addition, we have secured our first contract with a U.S. Government Agency and have a solid pipeline, reflecting the high level of demand for our intelligence products.”

“Kleos has a world-class global team, and I look forward to leveraging our European technology development and satellite operations to address real-world challenges for defence entities, national security agencies, and commercial organisations globally.”

Co-founder and Kleos Executive Director Andy Bowyer has moved into a Chief Strategy Officer role, responsible for corporate development, strategic partnerships, and the global growth strategy.

Whilst recruitment for a CFO is in progress, the Company has appointed Sara Fanous to the VP Finance leadership role.  Sara is a CPA with over 17 years of experience in public accounting (KPMG), SEC reporting (Iridium Communications), and building accounting/finance departments in early-stage space-based data and communication companies (Aireon and SpaceLink).