Cambridge firms chip in on UK’s new Semiconductor Advisory Panel

Image by Cristian Ibarra from Pixabay

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Earlier this month, the UK’s new Semiconductor Advisory Panel met at Imperial College London and members from several Cambridge chip firms were among those present.

Established by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), the Semiconductor Advisory Panel is designed to enable the government to work closely with industry to deliver the goals of the UK’s National Semiconductor Strategy.

The panel – chaired by the Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy, Paul Scully MP, and respected UK semiconductor industry veteran Dr Jalal Bagherli – is designed to be a formal mechanism for industry to feed into government actions in support of the semiconductor strategy. Its aim is also to encourage industry to take collaborative action towards the goals of the strategy.

Among the members of the Semiconductor Advisory Panel are Richard Grisenthwaite - Executive VP and Chief Architect, Arm; Dr Eben Upton - CEO, Raspberry Pi; and Scott White - Executive Director, Pragmatic; all of which are based in Cambridge.

Ahead of the first meeting on August 3, Technology Minister Paul Scully said: "Properly engaging and listening to the experts at the heart of researching, designing and producing semiconductors is essential if we’re serious about growing our domestic sector, protecting our national security, and unleashing rapid innovation across the British economy.

“The Semiconductor Advisory Panel serves as the perfect way for industry and government to work together closely on this critical industry.”

Arm’s Richard Grisenthwaite added: “The UK is home to a thriving technology ecosystem and Arm is proud to have its headquarters in Cambridge, as we continue our work to enhance every walk of life with Arm technology.

“I look forward to serving on the Semiconductor Advisory Panel to ensure the UK has a strong place in the extraordinarily globalised semiconductor industry. We will focus on developing the UK’s already considerable strengths, while working with like-minded nations to ensure resilient supply chains.”

Pragmatic’s Scott White said: “I am delighted to be appointed to the UK government’s Semiconductor Advisory Panel. It’s a great initiative to engage expertise from across the industry in support of government policy in this critical sector.

“I appreciate the opportunity to help guide the successful implementation of the UK’s semiconductor strategy to address key national priorities that fundamentally depend on semiconductors. There is no doubt that the UK can be globally competitive with the next generation of semiconductors by seizing a leading role in innovative technologies and growing the manufacturing base of those technologies here.”

The UK’s Semiconductor Advisory Panel comprises:

• Paul Scully MP - Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy (panel co-chair)


• Dr Jalal Bagherli - Chairman, PTSL; Chair, Williams Advanced Engineering (panel co-chair)


• Amelia Armour - Partner, Amadeus Capital Partners


• Janet Collyer - Chair, Quantum Dice and Machine Discovery; Senior Independent Director, EnSilica; Independent NED, Aerospace Technology Institute


• Professor. John Goodenough - Chair in Microelectronic Systems, University of Sheffield


• Richard Grisenthwaite - Executive VP and Chief Architect, Arm


• Rae Hyndman - CEO, Clas-SiC Wafer Fab


• Americo Lemos - CEO, IQE


• Dr Andy Sellars - Strategy Development Director, Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult


• Dr Eben Upton - CEO, Raspberry Pi


• Scott White - Executive Director, Pragmatic

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