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Spotlight · Science, research and innovation
Will Whitehorn OBE
Founding President of Virgin Galactic and a leading figure in the UK space industry, honoured by Edinburgh Napier University in 2026 after five years as its Chancellor.
“Will Whitehorn is a visionary leader, an advocate for education, and an inspiring example to our students and graduates.”
Gary Hutchison, Vice Principal, Edinburgh Napier University, laudation, 8 July 2026
Key facts
- Founding President of Virgin Galactic
- Former President of UKspace, the UK space industry association
- OBE in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours for services to the aerospace and space industry
- Honorary Doctor of Science, Edinburgh Napier University, 8 July 2026
Their story
Celebrating Dr Will Whitehorn OBE
Our third Honorary Doctor this week from Edinburgh Napier University is Will Whitehorn, founding President of Virgin Galactic.
On 8 July 2026, at a graduation ceremony in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh Napier awarded Will an Honorary Doctor of Science. The honour marked the end of his five years as the University's Chancellor, a role he took up in 2021.
From search and rescue to Virgin Will was born in Edinburgh in 1960 and educated at Edinburgh Academy and the University of Aberdeen. He began his working life as a crewman on North Sea search and rescue helicopters, then worked for Thomas Cook, TSB Group and Lombard Communications. He joined the Virgin Group in 1987 and became one of Sir Richard Branson's closest colleagues, serving as Brand Development and Corporate Affairs Director. His work there included the development of tilting trains.
Building the UK space economy Will became the founding President of Virgin Galactic. He has since chaired Clyde Space, served as President of UKspace, and in 2021 became chair of Seraphim Space Investment Trust, which he took to a public listing. He has also chaired the Transport Systems Catapult and served on the boards of Stagecoach and Good Energy. In the 2025 King's Birthday Honours he was appointed OBE for services to the aerospace and space industry.
Accepting his honour, Will said science had been central to his career, from tilting trains to helping establish the UK as a serious player in the global space economy. He described serving as Chancellor as a "huge privilege".