Board

Professor John Remedios- Executive Director

Professor John Remedios is the Executive Director of the National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO) and a Professor in Earth Observational Science at the University of Leicester. He is a Physicist with collaborations across Chemistry, Geography and Biology.

He joined NCEO as a Director in 2014 is passionate about using space technology to support environmental stewardship and sustainable development. He regularly advises government departments and contributes to national strategies on climate and space science. Find out more >>>

Daniel Hewett – Operations Director

Dan joined NCEO is April 2024 and is responsible for the support services including finance, commercial, governance, people, marketing and communications, and business development, leading a team of 13 specialists.

He has extensive experience leading operational and shared services for complex organisations, including delivering projects and programmes to achieve strategic and transformational change. Experienced in public, private and academic sectors, including financial services, outsourcing, mail and logistics, research, and defence. A people leader having led organisations from c.450 professional service providers to c.5 consultant experts

Professor Paul Palmer – Science Director

Paul Palmer is a Professor at the University of Edinburgh, the Science Director for NCEO, and leads the NCEO “Large-scale coupling of the biosphere atmosphere” group.

His research is focused on understanding the physical and chemical processes that drive variations in the atmospheric composition of Earth, embracing data, models, and theory. He is a science team member of NASA and Japanese satellite instruments that measure atmospheric GHGs and is the UK co-lead of the French-UK MicroCarb satellite mission that was launched successfully in July 2025.

He sits on the European Commission CO2 Task Force that delivers information to support Europe’s response to the Paris Agreement. Find out more>>>

Professor Helen Brindley – Divisional Director

Helen Brindley is a Professor of Earth Observation at Imperial College London and a Divisional Director at the National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO). Her research focuses on understanding how the Earth’s energy and water cycles are changing in response to climate variability. She leads UK efforts on the European Space Agency’s FORUM mission, which will provide groundbreaking measurements of the Earth’s far-infrared radiation spectrum.

Helen combines expertise in satellite remote sensing, atmospheric physics, and climate science. She develops advanced instrumentation for ground, airborne, and space-based observations, helping to fill critical gaps in our understanding of how the planet radiates energy to space. Her work supports improved climate predictions and informs global efforts to address environmental change.

Professor Martin Wooster – Divisional Director

Martin Wooster is a Professor of Earth Observation Science at King’s College London and Divisional Director at the National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO). He is internationally recognised for his pioneering work in satellite remote sensing and wildfire science.

Martin’s research focuses on understanding the impact of landscape fires on air quality, climate, and ecosystems. He played a key role in developing the Fire Radiative Power (FRP) metric, now used globally to monitor fire intensity and emissions in real time.

In 2025, Martin was awarded an MBE for his outstanding contributions to wildfire monitoring and environmental science. He continues to lead cutting-edge research that supports global efforts to manage fire risk, reduce pollution, and understand the changing Earth system.

Amos Lawless – Divisional Director

Amos Lawless is a Professor of Data Assimilation at the University of Reading and a senior leader at NCEO, where he serves as Head of Data Assimilation Methodology and Training Lead. He co-leads NCEO’s Data Assimilation division alongside Professor Sarah Dance.

Amos specialises in the mathematical theory of data assimilation—techniques that combine models and observations to improve environmental predictions. His research helps enhance forecasting systems for weather, climate, and ocean dynamics, with a particular focus on complex, coupled Earth systems.

Passionate about developing the next generation of scientists, Amos plays a key role in NCEO’s training programmes, supporting early career researchers across the UK. His work bridges mathematics, meteorology, and Earth observation, contributing to more accurate and reliable environmental insights.

Professor Sarah Dance – Divisional Director

Sarah Dance is a Professor of Data Assimilation at the University of Reading and Divisional Director at NCEO. Her work focuses on combining mathematical models with real-world data to improve predictions of environmental hazards such as flooding and severe weather.

Sarah leads research that helps make forecasting systems more accurate and responsive, using advanced techniques in data assimilation and numerical modelling. She collaborates with national and international partners to develop tools that support decision-making in climate resilience and disaster risk reduction.

With a background in applied mathematics and environmental science, Sarah brings a unique blend of technical expertise and practical insight to NCEO’s leadership.

Mary Black– Non Executive Director

Mary Ethna Black (Pirates) is a globe-trotting doctor from Lambeg, Northern Ireland and Non-Executive Director of NCEO. She also sits on the boards of NCAS, the Thames Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, the MCS foundation, and Patient Classification Systems International. She is an honorary professor in St Andrews, school of medicine.

Since taking up creative writing in 2017, she has won or listed for over 30 literary prizes, and held residencies at Bundanon, Cill Rialaig, Tyrone Guthrie, and Varuna. Splav – adventures with my family on the River Sava with be published by Abacus in August 2026. It’s the Balkans. Welcome to coffee, chaos, and a ginormous catfish. Fun fact – there is a scene involving NCEO and a satellite image of the river in the book.

Alexandra Bolton – Non Executive Director

Alexandra Bolton is a Non-Executive Director at NCEO and Director of the Climate Governance Initiative at the University of Cambridge. She brings extensive leadership experience in digital innovation, infrastructure, and climate action.

Formerly Executive Director of the Centre for Digital Built Britain, Alexandra now works globally to support board-level leadership on climate governance. She was awarded an OBE in 2024 for her contributions to the built and natural environment.

Dr Rupert Lewis – NERC Deputy Executive Chair

Dr Rupert Lewis joined NERC in April 2025. Previously he was Chief Science Policy Officer at the Royal Society, the UK’s independent scientific academy, dedicated to promoting excellence in science for the benefit of humanity. 

Before joining the Royal Society Rupert led the Government Office for Science (GO-Science) which supports the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, in providing advice to the Prime Minister and to the Cabinet.  His previous roles include head of Automotive policy, deputy Chief Scientific Adviser (Business Department), and head of Climate Adaptation policy. He also set up the Prime Minister’s ‘Business Council for Britain’ during the financial crisis.

Rupert has a BSc in Marine Biology, a PhD in genetics, and worked on aquaculture development and start-ups in SE Asia, South Africa, and Europe prior to joining Government in 2002.