This appointment marks a significant milestone for Sofant as the company transitions from development to the commercial launch of its first products.

Mr Whitehorn is widely recognised as a pioneer in the aerospace and space sectors. He served as the founding President of Virgin Galactic (2004–2011), where he played a central role in transforming Richard Branson’s vision of commercial spaceflight into a viable business model. Following his tenure at Virgin Galactic, Mr Whitehorn became a key figure in shaping the UK space industry, serving as President of UK Space (2019–2022) as well as advising on national space strategy and as a Director for AAC Clyde Space AB (2015-2024).

Currently, chairman of Seraphim Space Investment Trust PLC, the world’s first publicly listed space technology investment fund, which backs innovative companies in satellite communications, in-orbit services, and Earth observation. Mr Whitehorn also holds leadership roles across technology and aerospace organisations and was awarded an OBE in 2025 for his outstanding services to the aerospace and space industry.

David Wither, CEO of Sofant Technologies, said: “We are thrilled that Will has agreed to join Sofant at such an exciting stage in our journey. His deep understanding of disruptive technologies and proven track record in scaling businesses will be invaluable as we transition from development to commercial deployment.

“Sofant’s unique low-power RF MEMS technology is set to redefine a range of defence, aerospace, and enterprise products, and Will’s strategic insight will help us accelerate that vision.”

Mr Whitehorn, chairman of Sofant Technologies, said: “Sofant is on the cusp of a major breakthrough with its proprietary RF MEMS technology which addresses critical challenges in power consumption and performance, which are essential for a range of next generation wireless applications.

“I look forward to joining the team as we prepare to bring these innovations to market and scale the business internationally.”

Sofant’s proprietary RF MEMS beamforming technology dramatically reduces power consumption across a range of applications, where high-performance and energy efficiency is paramount. With commercial product launches planned for the coming year, Sofant is positioned to play a key role in the evolution of wireless technology.

Headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, Sofant Technologies is at the forefront of wireless innovation. Supported by leading investors including Scottish Enterprise, EMV Capital, Kelvin Capital, Caladan Capital, NSSIF, the UK Space Agency, and the European Space Agency, Sofant’s patented RF MEMS technology enables the lowest size, weight, and cost solutions available.