EE Times

Andy McLean On Scaling UK Semiconductor Strengths Plus Rapidus Partnership

In a Times interview, Andy McLean, newly appointed CEO of the UK Semiconductor Center, outlined the organization’s mandate to act as a "front door" that unites academia, industry and investors, accelerating the nation’s semiconductor ecosystem. Drawing on 35 years of experience in the United States, McLean highlighted the UK’s world‑class research base but noted a persistent gap in turning innovative spin‑outs into commercial successes. He explained that the Center’s latest move—a memorandum of understanding with Japan’s Rapidus—will grant UK firms access to 2‑nanometer prototyping by late 2027, addressing a critical capability shortfall in advanced CMOS processing. McLean also pointed to the alignment of UK strengths in compound semiconductors with booming markets such as AI, electric vehicles and smart grids, and cited the existence of over 700 domestic semiconductor companies as a foundation for growth. The partnership and coordinated government effort aim to position the UK as a key player in the global chip supply chain, attracting investment and reducing reliance on external fabs while driving economic and technological advancement.