Riyadh – Mubasher: NEO Space Group (NSG), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), appointed international telecoms industry veteran Martijn Blanken as its new group CEO.

Neo Space plans to unlock the potential of space from Saudi Arabia to the world by delivering advanced satellite communication services through different orbits, according to a press release.

It will also invest in developed new start-ups and entrepreneurs, partner with key space companies, and localise key activities to the Kingdom.  

Blanken has more than 25 years of experience in the global telecommunications and technology industry. He joins Neo Space from EXA Infrastructure, the leading dedicated digital infrastructure platform connecting Europe and North America, where he was their CEO.  

The new official also served as the Group Managing Director and CCO at Telstra Corporation and a member of its Executive Committee.

Blanken commented on his role: “The space industry is rapidly transforming and is wide open for disruption, so the launch of NSG is very well-timed.”

“We believe that by putting the customer’s need at the centre of everything we do, leveraging existing assets in the industry in combination with investments in new capabilities, we will be able to become an effective disrupter and challenger brand in the global space economy and a national champion for Saudi´s space ambitions,” he added.

Earlier this year, the PIF established Neo Space to boost commercial space operations in Saudi Arabia.

Following its launch in May, Neo Space partnered with Display Interactive (DI) to introduce Skywaves and SkyFly.