African Space Pioneer James Barrington-Brown Steps Down from Executive Role at NewSpace Systems
James Barrington-Brown, founder and global chairman of NewSpace Systems (NSS), announced today his decision to step down from his executive role at the leading African space component manufacturer, effective Friday, July 4th, 2025. In making this announcement, Barrington-Brown confirmed that operational leadership will be passed to Tanya Lerm, the current CEO of NewSpace Systems.
The transition marks the end of an era for Barrington-Brown, who has served as the driving force behind NSS since its establishment in 2013. Under his leadership, the company evolved from a small startup with ambitious goals into Africa’s premier satellite component manufacturer, expanding from a team of dozens to more than 150 employees across multiple continents.
Building Africa’s Space Manufacturing Legacy
Barrington-Brown’s tenure transformed NSS from a regional player into a global force in satellite component manufacturing. What began as a venture in South Africa’s Western Cape has expanded into a multinational operation. NSS now maintains strategic partnerships with major commercial spacecraft manufacturers and supports satellite constellation builders operating fleets exceeding 500 satellites. The company has successfully exported more than 2,000 components to 33 countries across six continents.
The company’s growth strategy included establishing international offices in key markets. NSS now operates facilities in North America (United States), Europe (United Kingdom), Oceania (New Zealand), and Asia, positioning the company closer to its diverse client base. This expansion has enabled NSS to serve both commercial customers and government clients while maintaining consistent year-over-year growth.
Proven Leadership Takes the Helm
Tanya Lerm brings more than two decades of engineering and management experience. Lerm has been serving as CEO of NSS’s South African operations since August 2024, following Barrington-Brown’s transition to the role of global chairman. Her promotion follows a successful tenure as Chief Operating Officer, a position she held for five years during a period of substantial company growth.
During her five-year tenure as COO, NSS experienced significant expansion in its Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) product lines. This growth period established the company’s authority in critical satellite systems and expanded its market presence across multiple continents.
Extensive Industry Experience
Before joining NSS seven years ago, Lerm accumulated valuable experience across multiple industries. She spent eleven years with AAT Composites (Pty) Ltd, a Somerset-based company specialising in high-technology design and manufacturing of performance composite parts for aviation and automotive industries.
At AAT Composites, Lerm began as Quality Manager, where she developed expertise in maintaining stringent manufacturing standards and implementing quality control systems essential for high-performance aerospace components. After five years in this role, she advanced to Executive Manager of Customer and Programmes, spending six years managing client relationships and overseeing complex manufacturing projects. This experience provided her with a deep understanding of customer requirements and programme management in precision manufacturing environments.
Her earlier career included six years and four months with British American Tobacco, where she served first as Regional Spare Parts Manager for the company’s Stellenbosch facility in South Africa. She subsequently moved to the position of Regional Internal Auditor, gaining experience in operational oversight and compliance management during her eighteen-month tenure in this role.
Lerm’s foundational experience in engineering began at the Iron and Steel Corporation of South Africa, where she spent six years in Production and Development Engineering. This role provided her with essential skills in engineering processes and team management, establishing the technical foundation that would support her later success in aerospace manufacturing.
She holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Potchefstroom, now known as North-West University. This technical background equips her with the scientific understanding necessary to oversee complex manufacturing processes and quality control systems.
Immediate Strategic Priorities
Lerm will immediately focus on several key initiatives already underway at NSS. The company is currently constructing an advanced manufacturing facility designed to support its expanding production requirements. The new site will feature a 1,200-square-meter cleanroom specifically designed for high-volume, precision manufacturing of space-grade hardware.
This facility represents a critical investment in NSS’s future capabilities. The cleanroom environment will enable the company to enhance both production volume and quality control measures, addressing the growing demand for reliable, tested space components. The facility will include specialised equipment, environmental controls, and advanced testing tools to ensure compliance with rigorous aerospace standards.
Phase one of the new facility is scheduled to become operational in the second quarter of 2025, with full project completion anticipated by the fourth quarter of the same year. This expansion will position NSS to serve a broader range of clients in the global space industry while maintaining the quality standards that have established the company’s reputation.
Beyond facility expansion, Lerm will oversee operations across all of NSS’s international locations, ensuring consistent performance and strategic alignment across the company’s global network. She has also committed to supporting emerging companies in Africa’s upstream space sector, continuing NSS’s role as a catalyst for regional industry development.
Continued Advisory Role
While stepping back from day-to-day operations, Barrington-Brown will remain actively involved with NSS as Chairman of the Board. In this capacity, he will provide strategic guidance and oversee the company’s long-term direction. Additionally, he will serve in a consultancy role, ensuring his expertise remains available to support critical decisions and initiatives.
Barrington-Brown has also announced his intention to focus on supporting the next generation of African space companies. He plans to develop frameworks and resources to help emerging startups navigate the challenges of building successful space technology businesses. This work will draw on his experience in transforming NSS from a startup into a major industry player.
Looking Forward
The transition from Barrington-Brown to Lerm represents both continuity and evolution for NSS. While maintaining the founder’s vision of establishing Africa as a major force in space manufacturing, the new leadership brings fresh perspectives on operational efficiency and market expansion.
Lerm’s extensive experience across multiple industries and her proven track record at NSS provide confidence in the company’s ability to navigate future challenges and opportunities. Her technical background and operational expertise position her well to lead NSS through its next phase of growth.
The African space industry continues to gain recognition as a significant contributor to global space activities. NSS’s success under Barrington-Brown’s leadership has demonstrated the continent’s capabilities in high-technology manufacturing. Under Lerm’s guidance, the company is positioned to build on this foundation while supporting the broader development of Africa’s space sector.
While this transition represents a significant change for NSS, it is not a farewell to James Barrington-Brown’s influence on the industry. The entire African space community recognises and honours the resilience, determination, knowledge sharing, and mentorship that have defined his tenure. His unwavering commitment to placing Africa at the forefront of space technology development continues to shape the NSS’s trajectory and inspires a generation of space entrepreneurs across the continent. This legacy of excellence and African-first vision will continue to guide the industry’s growth, ensuring that Barrington-Brown’s impact extends far beyond his operational role at NSS.