Prior to joining the UK Space Agency Chris was the Senior Responsible Owner (jobshare with Annelies) for the Rail Transformation Programme in the Department for Transport, building the programme to deliver a simpler and better railway for Britain.  Previously Chris had a 25-year career in defence and aviation, was Programme Director and Chief Engineer in the international programme office for the Typhoon aircraft in Munich and a diplomat in Washington DC.  Chris lives in Gloucestershire. He is a trombone teacher, trustee of a youth music charity, runs a swing band and is Non-Executive Director of a multi-academy school trust.