All Things Denner / People / Francois Denner
Francois Denner
Group CEO, SCS Aerospace Group
Francois Denner leads SCS Aerospace Group, a South African group of satellite engineering companies that supplies space infrastructure for emerging space programmes. Before joining the group, he worked as an independent contractor across South Africa's space and advanced manufacturing sectors, including as Chief Technical Advisor to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Space Program Manager at the South African National Space Agency.
- Role
- Group CEO, SCS Aerospace Group
- Founded
- SCS Aerospace Group, 2008
- Trained at
- University of Pretoria, Electronic Engineering
- Earlier career
- 10 years at the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research)
- Country
- South Africa
Independent contractor roles
Before devoting himself to SCS Aerospace Group full time, Denner worked as an independent contractor, holding several portfolios at once:
- Chief Technical Advisor, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
- Space Program Manager, South African National Space Agency
- Director, Biocomposites Centre of Competence
- Director, National Aerospace Centre of Excellence
- Chief Director for Advanced Manufacturing, Department of Trade and Industry
Career at the CSIR
Before working independently, Denner spent ten years at the CSIR, starting as an electronic engineering graduate of the University of Pretoria in photonics systems development. He moved into the specialist area of optical radiometry, and later served as manager of the National Metrology Laboratory. His career at the CSIR concluded in the Division of Materials Science and Manufacturing, where he focused on strategic initiatives in advanced manufacturing technologies and technology transfer.
Industrial policy contributions
Denner's contributions extend to the medium and long-term competitiveness of the South African economy, with a particular focus on advanced manufacturing and aerospace:
- Member of the team that formulated South Africa's Industrial Policy and Industrial Policy Action Plan for advanced manufacturing, with a focus on the aerospace industry
- Past Vice-Chairperson, Space Affairs Council
- Past Chairperson, Policy and Technical Sub-Committee that led development of the national Space Policy and the establishment of the Office for Space Affairs
- Past member, Advisory Committee of the Provincial Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy, Western Cape Provincial Government
- Past Director, South African Quality Institute
SCS Aerospace Group
SCS Aerospace Group was founded in 2008, built on South Africa's space engineering legacy and a growing need for space technology for commercial, government and social benefit, particularly in developing countries. The group employs around 90 satellite specialists across electronic, systems, software and mechanical engineering.
The group is made up of three companies:
- Space Advisory Company, which provides satellite programme and systems consulting, engineering and training solutions
- SCS Space, which provides satellite mission solutions and satellite systems
- NewSpace Systems, which develops and manufactures high-quality space components and sub-systems
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Who is Francois Denner?
Francois Denner is the Group CEO of SCS Aerospace Group, a South African group of satellite engineering companies. He previously spent ten years at the CSIR and later worked as an independent contractor across South Africa's space and advanced manufacturing sectors, including as Chief Technical Advisor to UNIDO.
What is SCS Aerospace Group?
SCS Aerospace Group is a South African group of satellite engineering companies founded in 2008, supplying space infrastructure for commercial, government and emerging space programmes. It employs around 90 satellite specialists.
What three companies make up SCS Aerospace Group?
Space Advisory Company, which provides satellite programme and systems consulting; SCS Space, which provides satellite mission solutions and systems; and NewSpace Systems, which manufactures space components and sub-systems.
Where did Francois Denner study?
He graduated in Electronic Engineering from the University of Pretoria before beginning a ten-year career at the CSIR.
Know More About Francois Denner or His Work?
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