Engaged At the Highest Levels
Hans Karlsen is trusted by governments, defence organisations, and global industry leaders to deliver high-stakes, mission-critical results. His experience includes direct advisory and operational support. He has advised and contracted with organisations including:
- UK Ministry of Defence
- European Union (EIT)
- United Nations (WFP)
- ING Investment Bank (Netherlands)
- Apax Private Equity Partners (London)
- Inmarsat (London)
- KACST (Saudi Arabian Government)
- OVZON (Sweden)
- Taqnia Space (Saudi Arabia)
- Pilatus (Switzerland)
- Bristow Helicopters (UK & Australia)
- UK Met Office
- Zodiac Aerospace (USA)
- Stellar Solutions (UK & USA)
- PA Consulting
- Cobham (Thrane & Thrane) (Denmark)
- UK Department of Business, Innovation & Skills
- Pakistan Navy
- Leonardo Helicopters (UK)
- AIRBUS (France)
- Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Global Challenger
- Vostok Aviation (Russia)
- HM Customs & Excise (UK Government)
- Carlyle Investment Management (Sweden)
Turning High-Stakes Complexity into Mission Success
Architect of the Global Aeronautical Satcom Industry
Played a pivotal leadership role at Inmarsat in the creation and commercialisation of the global aeronautical satcom industry. This work laid the foundation for what is now a multi-billion-dollar sector, fundamentally changing how the global aviation fleet communicates.
Scaled a Manufacturer to become the Leadong Global Aeronautical Satcom Supplier
Senior Board Advisor to Thrane & Thrane (now Cobham Satcom), defining the market-entry, certification, and growth strategy that enabled the company to become a dominant global aeronautical satcom supplier. I pioneered Satcoms on helicopters and secured the world’s first large-scale military aeronautical satcom system supply contract to the MoD.
Strategic Advisor to the UK’s Sovereign Skynet Programme
Provided senior strategic oversight and mission assurance support to the UK Ministry of Defence Skynet Programme, sovereign satellite communications procurement, and operational capability.
Trusted Governance Expert to the European Union
Appointed by the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) as an Independent Expert in Governance and Entrepreneurship, overseeing strategic performance and multi-million-euro innovation funding decisions across Europe’s leading technology ecosystems.
Validated a Multi-Billion-Dollar Aerospace Acquisition
Led the technical and commercial due diligence of Telesat (Canada) for Apax Partners by providing critical validation for a major global aerospace investment decision.
Delivered World-First Special Mission Satcom Capability
As Founder and CEO of ADS Aerospace, I led the development, manufacture, certification, supply and support of the world’s smallest GEO aeronautical satcom system, deployed on UN Peacekeeping and other special mission aircraft.
Led the UK Government Aerospace MRO Strategy Research
Authored the UK Government’s strategic aerospace MRO research study for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, shaping national industrial capability and long-term sector investment priorities. Download Report
Secured $Multi-million for Next-Generation Space Infrastructure
Directed the technical and commercial due diligence for two EU investment banks that enabled several $multi-million in funding for Ovzon and its next-generation satellite acquisition and associated launch programme.
Architected Sovereign Aerospace Capability for Saudi Arabia
Advised KACST and TAQNIA Space on national aerospace industry architecture and industry commercialisation strategy, supporting the development of indigenous sovereign aerospace capability and industrial growth.
These organisations do not engage external support lightly.
