Chris' career in electronics and semiconductors started at British Telecom Research Laboratories before joining a new joint venture between BT and US based DuPont in 1986. Chris was part of the founding team at Epitaxial Products International Ltd (EPI) in Cardiff in 1988 which became IQE plc in 1999 following a successful IPO.
With a background in science and engineering, Chris also holds an MBA and has held a number of senior management positions within the IQE Group. Chris is currently Director of CSconnected, representing the world’s first compound semiconductor cluster that is rapidly evolving across South Wales and the West of England.
Wyn received a MA (Physics) from Cambridge University and PhD from Heriot Watt University in blue semiconductor laser development. He has 25+ years of industrial experience gained at Ferranti, British Telecom Research Labs, Detica (now BAE), Sharp Research labs, IQE plc and Compound Semiconductor Technologies Ltd (now Sivers Semiconductors). Wyn is the founding Director of the Compound Semiconductor Centre, a Joint Venture between IQE Plc and Cardiff University, focussed on translation of R+D in compound semiconductor materials and devices, which has raised in excess of £80M in RD&I projects since 2017. He is a Non-Exec Director of The Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult, and Chair of ‘CSconnected’: a £43M project focussed on expanding the South Wales Compound Semiconductor Cluster to 2025. Wyn is a steering Board Member of The National Epitaxy Facility, Sheffield University, The Institute of Compound Semiconductors, Cardiff University, The Centre for Integrated Semiconductor Materials, Swansea University and The Quantum Metrology Institute, NPL. He is an advisor to EPSRC on Semiconductor technologies in ICT and Quantum, and Chaired the 2022 Quantum Hub mid-term review. He is a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales, and was awarded an Honorary Distinguished Professorship by Cardiff University in 2021 in recognition of working with the School of Physics and Astronomy, providing expert advice on commercialisation of research.
Howard has been involved in electronics manufacturing for over 35 years, starting as a process engineer at Lucas Electronics, working on thick-film hybrids and PCB assembly for automotive components. He subsequently pursued a successful career in international sales, product marketing and business development, primarily supplying production equipment for the electronics industry, culminating in 10 years living and working in Silicon Valley.
Howard subsequently worked as Vice President of Business development at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (Finnish national applied research agency). His focus was on technology commercialization, supporting the creation of new spin-out companies, IPR licensing and contract research services. For the last three years of his tenure at VTT, he also ran the VTT MEMSfab subsidiary company and was responsible for operations at the Micronova semiconductor fab – the largest R&D fab in Northern Europe, which specialized in MEMS, photonics and nano-electronic fabrication. The fab, jointly shared with Aalto University, offered open access to multiple companies for small-scale production and development.
Returning to the UK in 2020, Howard worked as director of operations strategy at Rockley Photonics in Newport, building supply chain capabilities with multiple semiconductor foundry service providers. In 2024, he became a director of CSconnected with a brief of supporting growth within the South Wales Compound Semiconductor Cluster.
Hazel obtained her Master’s degree in physics from Imperial College, London and a PhD in non-linear laser optics from the Optoelectronics Research Centre, University of Southampton. She has over 15 years’ experience working across industry and academia in the photonics sector in R&D, sales and business development. She played an instrumental role in the growth of Covesion Ltd from start-up to key quantum technologies manufacturer.
Since moving to Wales in 2015, Hazel led business development for the Centre for Photonics Expertise facilitating industry-academic collaborations across South Wales. In 2022 she joined Cardiff University as the Programme Manager for the ‘CSconnected Strength in Places Fund’ project funded by UKRI, working with CS Cluster partners to build on regional strengths in advanced semiconductor materials and manufacturing, driving cluster development and expansion.
As Business Development Manager for CSconnected since July 2024, Hazel continues to support growth for the South Wales Compound Semiconductor Cluster, focussing on supply chain opportunities and harnessing regional, national and global connections.
Camille is the Marketing Manager for CSconnected, leading on communications and marketing activities that underpin the expansion of the compound semiconductor cluster across the South Wales region. Camille has 10 years of experience in the semiconductor industry. Prior to CSconnected, she served as Marketing Executive at IQE.
Nina is the Communications Coordinator for CSconnected, delivering an online presence for the CSconnected brand and organising logistics for events that CSconnected participate in.
Nina joined the team in November 2021 as the CSconnected Administrative Officer and took on the role of Events Coordinator the following year, before becoming Communications Coordinator in May 2024.
Lee is the Business Support Officer for CSconnected, with over 30 years of experience providing business and administrative support across the service and semiconductor industries.
Lee joined the team in June 2024 having previously worked in a similar role with Rockley Photonics Limited for the past 5 years.
Brandon is the Skills Manager at CSconnected, where he leads initiatives to enhance educational pathways and skills development within the compound semiconductor sector across South Wales.
With a background in semiconductor qualifications development at WJEC and extensive experience as an Engineering Lecturer and Freelance Designer, Brandon brings a unique blend of educational expertise and industry insight to his role.
His passion for innovation and education drives his commitment to building a skilled workforce and fostering industry-academic partnerships that drive growth and excellence in the semiconductor ecosystem.