Open Skies Network CEO defends employment of former councillor

The CEO of Open Skies Network (OSN) has defended the employment of Louis Gardner, a former Cornwall Council cabinet member, following political controversy regarding his previous role at Spaceport Cornwall.

Mr. Gardner, the former portfolio holder for the economy, faced scrutiny after accepting a position as head of future air and space at the council-owned facility just days before approving a £200,000 council grant to the spaceport. He was subsequently found to have breached the local authority’s code of conduct on five points. After resigning from the spaceport role following only one week, it was revealed that Corserv, a group of companies owned by Cornwall Council, signed a non-disclosure agreement with him.

While critics have called for an investigation into the non-disclosure agreement and questioned his continued presence at the space facility, the head of OSN maintains that Mr. Gardner is an asset to the company and the community. OSN has clarified that it has received no funding or investment from Cornwall Council, Corserv, or Cornwall Newquay Airport.