Most likely, Ray Browne was the first UK government official to recognise the potential national benefits of the ASTRAEA Programme. In early 2005, when the consortium first proposed its methodology and goals in a government grant application, Ray was Deputy Director in the then Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) Innovation Group and the consortium’s application landed on his desk for review.

Ray’s long public service background in technology gave him unique insight into the benefits outlined in the application because he literally began his career on the workshop floor as an apprentice toolmaker at the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington. 

“When our scientists needed some special piece of experimental equipment for a research project,” Ray explained, “they just described it and we made it for them.”

Attending college part-time during his apprenticeship, Ray worked his way up from the shop floor to management positions, looking after engineering workshops, design office, electronics & computing section and the aero and hydro research facilities. In 1982, he transferred to the Information Technology Division of DTI, where he first became involved supporting collaborative R&D in advanced IT and sponsoring UK industry. More than two decades of experience followed, developing and overseeing literally hundreds of industry and academic programmes in all areas of science and technology.

“The ASTRAEA consortium’s application was quite unusual at the time,” Ray recalled, “because DTI funded mainly practical projects. ASTRAEA focussed on establishing standards, guidelines and procedures not building a better widget.”

But Ray thought ASTRAEA deserved sensitive treatment and after extensive consultation between federal and local government agencies and consortium partners, ASTRAEA I funding was approved and three years of intense research work followed. Late in 2008, final reports were filed and a formal demonstration of the results was made to government and industry dignitaries at Parc Aberporth in Wales.

Ray remembers the sense of achievement of the technical teams, industry representatives and local government agencies. In particular, the Programme’s technical monitors were very pleased with the results and plans for the second phase – ASTRAEA II – were already well advanced. 

But 2009 began in an extremely tight financial climate so government, industry and the ASTRAEA II consortium faced a new and very difficult challenge – securing second phase funding in a recession. But with a combination of flexibility on all sides, tenacity, patience and Ray’s oversight, they finally received Ministerial approval in late 2009 and ASTRAEA II was officially launched in April 2010.

Ray was awarded an OBE in 2009 for service to Science and Innovation and he retired at the end of 2010 after more than 45 years of government service. But he continues to work part time at the Government’s Technology Strategy Board looking after several large aerospace research projects. 

Everyone involved in the ASTRAEA Programme, past and present, acknowledges Ray’s foresight and guidance throughout ASTRAEA I and thank him for his determination to see this landmark programme succeed. We would not be where we are now without Ray’s inspired support and all of us look forward to his continuing contribution to the country’s innovative and commercial culture.