Inmarsat, the global player in global mobile satellite communications, has expanded its division dedicated to connectivity for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, with the addition of two new senior executives. The company appointed Jon Holmes as Senior Director of UAV Technology and Mark ter Hove as Senior Manager of European Market Development.

Jon Holmes will be responsible for creating Inmarsat’s roadmap for UAV products and services, working with customers, partners and internal stakeholders. Jon has more than 30 years of experience in aeronautical satellite communications, most recently serving as Senior Director of Engineering and Program Management at Cobham Aerospace Communications, where he led a 150-strong team to develop aeronautical satellite communication terminal products. Prior to this, Jon spent 16 years in a variety of engineering roles at Honeywell Aerospace, where he led the development of terminal products designed to operate with Inmarsat’s Global Xpress satellite network.

Mark ter Hove will be responsible for evaluating customer and market opportunities in Europe to reinforce Inmarsat as the provider of connectivity products and services in the fast-growing field of UAV BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations. He has over 25 years of aviation experience, including 12 years leading operations at British Airways franchise partners GB Airways and Astraeus Airlines, before serving as airline network manager at London’s Gatwick Airport.