UK Semiconductor Centre appoints two new directors
The UK Semiconductor Centre (UKSC) has appointed two new directors to help drive forward its goal of unlocking the full potential of the UK semiconductor industry. Martin O’Sullivan (pictured right) will be director of Investment and Steve Taylor (left)) director of Strategic Marketing.
As director of investment, O’Sullivan will help accelerate the scale-up and growth of semiconductor companies operating in the UK. He will lead on investor relations, making it easier for founders to access public and private funds, as well as growing a network of investors who are confident in semiconductor business models and opportunities.
He joins the UKSC having spent several years in technology equity research and capital markets, where he built extensive experience analysing complex technology businesses and explaining their strategic and commercial significance to a wide range of investors and other stakeholders. He holds a PhD in semiconductor physics and began his career in semiconductor R&D, including roles at Toshiba and Philips Research Laboratories.
As director of Strategic Marketing, Taylor will lead on all marketing and communications activities, building a compelling narrative of UK capability that combines its heritage, strengths and distinctive offer for international audiences.
Taylor will also ensure that industry, investors and government are provided with a joined-up picture of where the UK strengths lie, as well as promoting the very best of what the UK has to offer on the global stage.
Taylor brings more than 30 years’ experience working across semiconductors, advanced hardware and global technology ecosystems, having held senior roles at Arm, Linaro, Paragraf and the Autoware Foundation, supporting organisations to scale internationally and align industry, government and academic stakeholders.
At Arm, he led global PR during its rise to be widely recognised as Intel’s primary competitor.
O'Sullivan commented: "I am delighted to be joining the UK Semiconductor Centre at such a significant moment for the sector as the UK builds on its significant semiconductor strengths to take advantage of one of the most important industrial opportunities we have faced.
"We know that financial scale-up continues to be a barrier for businesses operating the UK and that there is a clear role for the UKSC to improve ecosystem legibility for investors and strengthen the interface between companies and investment capital. I am thoroughly looking forward to help solve this challenge and ensure UK businesses have the best possible chance of scaling, growing and reaching their full potential."
Taylor added: “The UK has exceptional strengths across semiconductor design, photonics, advanced materials and emerging technologies. The opportunity now is to bring these together into a clear and compelling narrative that resonates globally.
“There is a strong foundation to build on, but it can often appear fragmented from the outside. The role of the UK Semiconductor Centre is to help connect that picture, making it easier for industry, investors and partners to understand where the UK’s strengths lie and how they can engage.
“I’m looking forward to helping build a confident, coherent narrative that supports growth, attracts investment and enables UK innovation to scale.”
Raj Gawera, chief operating officer at the UK Semiconductor Centre said: “We’re extremely pleased to welcome Steve and Martin to the team. They bring with them a wealth of experience in the semiconductor industry and an impressive depth of knowledge in their specialisms, which will be of significant benefit not only to the UKSC, but the whole of our industry.
“Steve and Martin will be invaluable assets to the UKSC leadership team and I look forward to working with them closely to shape the future of our organisation, grow our industry and capitalise on the unprecedented opportunities that we face.”
Building on the UK's world-class innovation ecosystem and strengths in compound semiconductors, photonics, and advanced chip design, the UK Semiconductor Centre aims to connect research excellence with industrial capability. This is through targeted support and infrastructure access, attracting global partners seeking cutting-edge collaboration, and securing investment that transforms innovations into commercial reality.
