A group of UK chip companies will meet today for the first time as part of the government’s Semiconductor Advisory Panel.
The government has drafted in experts including Arm chief architect Richard Grisenthwaite, IQE CEO Americo Lemos, Dr Eben Upton CEO of the Raspberry Pi Foundation and Pragmatic executive director Scott White.
The discussions, taking place at Imperial College London, will focus on how the government can support production and security of the sector.
“I look forward to serving on the Semiconductor Advisory Panel to ensure the UK has a strong place in the extraordinarily globalised semiconductor industry,” said Grisenthwaite.
“We will focus on developing the UK’s already considerable strengths, while working with like-minded nations to ensure resilient supply chains.”
Plans for the Semiconductor Advisory Panel were initially set out in the national semiconductor strategy set out in May, which received a lukewarm reception from the sector.
Today the government released information on its semiconductor design incubator, which will be overseen by Silicon Catalyst.
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 group of 10 experts will continue to have meetings every two months.
“The Semiconductor Advisory Panel contains some of the very best leaders and experts in the sector and part of their role must be to ensure that the government delivers on its promises,” said Russ Shaw CBE, Founder of Tech London Advocates and Global Tech Advocates. “The UK still has a competitive advantage in areas such as R&D and design, but in a hugely competitive global economy others will catch up fast.”
The move was welcomed by the recently formed Chips Coalition, an industry voice group that will provide its own recommendations in the coming weeks.
Julian David, CEO of techUK: “The National Semiconductor Strategy is a welcome step to help the UK’s semiconductor industry remain competitive at home and on the global stage.
“The success of the strategy will come down to delivery, and an independent coalition of industry voices will help to ensure that this Strategy achieves its full potential. If this ‘Chips Coalition’ can work as a credible and relevant industry voice, then it will be a pivotal part of a success story for UK technology.”
It comes as Cambridge chip firm Arm is considering a September IPO, with reports emerging this week that it is looking for a $60bn to $70bn valuation.
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