Hero’s welcome for Royal Navy Atlantic rower by Redhill based satcoms company, NSSLGlobal, local students and Crispin Blunt MP

NSSLGlobal, the Redhill based, global independent satellite communications and IT solutions provider, welcomes HMS Oardacious rower and local resident, Lieutenant Commander Hugo Mitchell-Heggs to their headquarters on Friday, 3rd February. Lt Cdr Hugo, as part of the record setting four-man crew, all serving Royal Navy submariners, has returned from competing in the “world’s toughest row” across the North Atlantic. Crispin Blunt, MP for Reigate, will be joining local schoolchildren at the company’s headquarters to celebrate the incredible feat of overcoming the physical and mental challenges posed during the gruelling 35-day, 3,000-mile row called the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.

NSSLGlobal is proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the HMS Oardacious team and, along with Lt Cdr Mitchell-Heggs and members of his wider team, is hosting a community outreach event for local schoolchildren. What promises to be a lively, engaging and interactive morning will kick off with Neil Fraser, NSSLGlobal’s Director for Space and Defence, explaining the importance of space and its key role in delivering communications across the globe to users on land, at sea and in the air. It will also be a rare opportunity for nearly 70 local youngsters to see and get “hands on” with some of the specialist technology used by HMS Oardacious and other users of NSSLGlobal solutions and services.

Lt Cdr Mitchell-Heggs will talk about the human side of his journey, from the camaraderie, mental hurdles and physical challenges to the training, tactics and trials of the race. He and his colleagues will explain the values that underpinned the challenge and empowered the rowers to push past their boundaries and become the fastest military team to complete the event.

“NSSLGlobal has sponsored Lt Cdr Hugo and the HMS Oardacious team as we recognise the wider good that comes from their commitment to raising funds and the profile of mental health, veterans and the environment. For several years COVID -19 stopped us holding similar events, but it is important to the NSSLGlobal team to support our local community. It is our hope that this event will inspire these young children to get excited about a potential future in the satellite communications industry and to see STEM subjects in a whole new light,” says Sally Anne-Ray, Chief Executive Officer, NSSLGlobal.

“The NSSLGlobal team was hugely important to our crossing, providing critical communications services to help in times of crisis, plotting our route and allowing us to have morale-boosting conversations with our families,” says Lieutenant Commander Hugo Mitchell-Heggs, HMS Oardacious. The satellite communications enabled us to share our story with the world, including a live interview with the BBC. As a local resident myself, I and the team are excited to now bring our story to the inquisitive young minds in the local area.”

“Advances in space and satellite technology are key areas for growth and it’s good to see a UK headquartered satellite company doing what it can to inspire and motivate the next generation,” says Crispin Blunt MP. “This event is also a great opportunity for these students to meet and learn how to handle challenges and problem solving from a local hero.”
The event will be taking place on Friday, 3rd February and hopes to inspire the dozens of young schoolchildren attending to consider learning more about the space and satellite industry and the possibilities open to them in the future.

To learn more about NSSLGlobal’s services visit www.nsslglobal.com.
To download the press release please click here

ENDS

About NSSLGlobal
NSSLGlobal Group is a leading independent provider of satellite communications and IT solutions with innovation and customer service at the core of its DNA. With over 50 years of experience in the government and maritime mobility markets, NSSLGlobal provides best-in-class satellite solutions and SMART Navcom services, working in partnership with some of the largest MSS and VSAT satellite operators.

Headquartered in the United Kingdom, the company employs 230+ staff worldwide and has offices across Germany, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, Singapore, Japan, and the United States.
NSSLGlobal Technologies, its technical and engineering Research and Development division based in Norway is focussed on developing and delivering market competitive satellite-based solutions for IPTV products and VSAT technology including Hubs and VSAT modems for mobility and fixed applications globally.

NSSLGlobal has strong values and is committed to working ethically, with integrity and always lawfully wherever it operates and with everyone it does business with. It is certified to Information Security Management Systems 27001:2013, Quality Management 9001:2015, Environmental Management 14001:2015, Health and Safety management 45001:2018 and 44001:2017 Collaborative Business Relationships. www.nsslgobal.com 

NSSLGlobal press contacts
Rebecca Stacey
Berkeley Communications
NSSLGlobal@berkeleypr.com
+44 (0)1189 09 09 09

HMS Oardacious
HMS Oardacious was established in 2019 to provide mental health and wellbeing support to the submarine community, and in 2022 that is still our mission. Working with the fantastic Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity, the 2019 HMS Oardacious campaign fundraised over £110,000 to establish the Submarine Family. To build upon their success in the 2019 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, the HMS Oardacious have triumphed in their 2022 Atlantic crossing, with a commitment to grow the HMS Oardacious legacy into 2023 and beyond. https://www.hmsoardacious.com

Crispin Blunt MP
Crispin Blunt was educated at Wellington College, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, University of Durham and Cranfield School of Management. In 1992, he stood for Parliament as the Conservative candidate for West Bromwich East. In 1993 Crispin was appointed Special Adviser to Malcolm Rifkind, as Secretary of State for Defence (1993-95) and Foreign Secretary (1995-97).

Crispin was elected to Parliament for Reigate in Surrey in May 1997. From 1997, he served on the Defence and Environment Select Committees before being a front bench Conservative spokesman on Northern Ireland (2001-2); Trade, Energy and Science (2002-3); and Security and Counter-terrorism (2009-10). He was an Opposition Whip (2005-9). Crispin was elected Chairman of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Select Committee from June 2015 to May 2017 and was a Member of the National Security Strategy Joint Committee from November 2015 to May 2017. From May 2010 until September 2012, Crispin was Minister responsible for Prisons, Probation and Youth Justice. He also served as Chairman of the Conservative Middle East Council and co-Chair of the Council for Arab-British Understanding (2005-8).

Crispin is currently co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Drug Policy Reform, and co-Chair of the APPG for CBD Products. Crispin is the unremunerated Chairman of the Conservative Drug Policy Reform Group Ltd, which supports evidence-based drug policies, and is a co-founder and Director of the International Centre of Justice for the Palestinians.

To download the press release please click here