2025: a defining year for CSconnected
31st December 2025
2025: a defining year for CSconnected
CSconnected has spent the past decade building a globally recognised compound semiconductor cluster in South Wales. In 2025, that long-term collaboration translated into clear influence on policy, investment and the future direction of the UK’s semiconductor industry.
Engagements
The year began with strong ministerial engagement. In March, Jo Stevens MP, Secretary of State for Wales, and Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, visited CS², the Compound Semiconductor Community Space in Newport. Funded through the UK Government’s Strength in Places Fund (SIPF), CS² plays a central role in supporting industry collaboration across the South Wales cluster.
During the visit, ministers co-chaired a roundtable with leaders from across the cluster, focusing on scaling capability, strengthening supply chains and positioning the UK for long-term competitiveness in compound semiconductors.
Later that month, Wales’ growing role in advanced semiconductor design was reinforced through activity led by Novomorphic, a semiconductor design company backed by Welsh Government and the CSA Catapult. Novomorphic is the UK’s Cadence Design Network partner, working with leading-edge EDA flows, technology roadmaps and training programmes to build design capability and strengthen the wider UK semiconductor ecosystem.
Manufacturing capability also took a significant step forward when the UK Government confirmed a £250 million investment into Vishay’s Newport foundry, signalling strong confidence in South Wales as a globally important manufacturing base for compound semiconductors.
CSconnected continued to bring industry, academia and government together throughout the year. A June roundtable with UKRI’s Director of Place, Jo Allison, convened the cluster’s anchor companies, SMEs, universities, Welsh Government and Cardiff Capital Region, highlighting the collaborative innovation and R&D strengths underpinning the region’s investment proposition.
By the end of the year, the cluster’s voice was firmly established at national level. In December, CSconnected leaders Howard Rupprecht and Dr Wyn Meredith participated in a Semiconductor Advisory Panel at the Wales Investment Summit, attended by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and co-chaired by the UK AI Minister. Discussions focused on how semiconductor funding and AI Growth Zones should be deployed to support long-term industrial resilience and growth.
Events
November marked a milestone moment as CSconnected celebrated its 10-year anniversary in Cardiff, bringing together more than 100 industry leaders, researchers, policymakers and educators. Jack Sargeant MS, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership, described the cluster’s journey as “a testament to Government, business and university collaboration” and reaffirmed continued Welsh Government engagement with the sector.
Media activity
The year also saw growing media recognition. CSconnected secured coverage in national and international publications, including The Manufacturer and Semiconductor Today, alongside announcements on supply chain investment, manufacturing capability and skills development.
Together, these moments tell a clear story. What began as an ambition has become a nationally significant, globally recognised compound semiconductor ecosystem. As CSconnected looks ahead, the progress made in 2025 positions Wales as a strategic and enduring leader in compound semiconductor technology and manufacturing.
Notes to editors:
Contact
csconnected@purplefish.agency
About CSconnected
CSconnected is the world’s first compound semiconductor cluster, located in South Wales. Supported by the Strength in Places Fund (UK Research and Innovation) and Cardiff Capital Region, the cluster unites leading companies, research institutions, and government partners to drive innovation, economic growth, and global leadership in semiconductor technology.
