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Industry veteran Andy Urqhuart to chair strategic review |
NMI, the trade association for semiconductor, microelectronics and Electronic Systems communities in the UK & Ireland, has been asked by the government to provide a strategic report on the UK Electronic Systems community and the key barriers to future growth. Due for publication in 2012, the report will illustrate the opportunities for UK Electronic Systems innovation and identify ways in which policy can be adapted to promote and support future growth, developing critical insight to strengthen UK operations and businesses.
Jamie Urquhart has agreed to chair the investigation and oversee the writing of the report. He will head a representative group of leading executives in conducting and analysing independent research, generating data and identifying opportunities from work-streams, which will be identified by the executive group.
Having spent time at Plessey’s Caswell Research Centre, Acorn Computers and the founding team of ARM, Urqhuart is well placed to lead the project. In 2002 he became an angel investor and partner with Pond Ventures, investing in the industry and developing a wealth of experience of early stage European companies in the semiconductor, communication, wireless and software sectors.
Commenting Urquhart said “The UK Electronics Systems community is producing world leading innovation, yet this remains largely unrecognised. Electronic Systems touch our lives in many ways and are of great strategic, economic and social value… With a co-ordinated approach we can build on its global standing. This report will provide new insight and help this community to be even stronger in future.”
Mark Prisk MP, minister for business and enterprise said “I have been impressed with NMI’s message that Electronic Systems are prevalent in new markets and virtually every business sector. These include national priorities such as transport, energy and healthcare.
"They are an enabler for social, economic and environmental change and the UK’s strength in this sector gives the potential to make an even bigger impact on global markets.
“I have therefore asked NMI to lead the report, working closely with other trade associations and relevant organisations in order to help government understand how we can break the barriers to growth and improve the competitiveness of this diverse community in the UK.”
According to Derek Boyd, CEO at NMI “This initiative provides a great opportunity to highlight the importance of Electronic Systems in the UK, to redefine the industry in its continued transformation and foster a leaner, stronger and world leading ecosystem. We’re inviting engagement from the community and I’m delighted to have the support of both the minister and other industry associations on the UK Electronics Alliance and public sector bodies, such as Semta, EPSRC and the Technology Strategy Board.”
To participate in the initiative please contact ESReport@nmi.org.uk.
