SemiconductorsHardwareManufacturingLeadership

Andy McLean On Scaling UK Semiconductor Strengths Plus Rapidus Partnership

EE Times
EE Times•Jun 15, 2026

Why It Matters

The Rapidus partnership provides UK chipmakers with near‑state‑of‑the‑art 2nm manufacturing, fast‑tracking AI and EV hardware commercialization and strengthening the UK's strategic foothold in the global semiconductor supply chain.

Key Takeaways

  • •UK Semiconductor Center serves as front door for industry collaboration.
  • •Andy McLean returns after 35 years US to boost UK commercialization.
  • •UK excels in research, but struggles scaling startups to market.
  • •New MOU with Japan’s Rapidus gives UK 2nm prototyping access.
  • •Alignment of UK tech strengths with AI, EV, smart‑grid growth.

Summary

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.

Original Description

In June 2025, the British governent announced the formation of a national independent hub to accelerate growth and innovation in the industry, backed with around GBP £19 million of funding. That hub, called the UK Semiconductor Centre, aims to bring together industry, academia and government, and provide cross-sector leadership on semiconductor innovation, alongside ecosystem building and business services. It will also develop long-term R&D and infrastructure roadmaps to guide future investment in semiconductors.
In May 2026, the UKSC brought in industry veteran Andy McLean as CEO, who returned from over 30 years in the US working for Analog Devices, Texas Instruments and National Semiconductor.
With the signing of a partnership with Rapidus Corporation in June 2026 to enable UK companies to have access to the Japanese semiconductor foundry's technology and capacity, EE Times' Nitin Dahad caught up with UKSC's Andy McLean to talk about his return to the UK to take on his role at UKSC, the ambitions of the UKSC, and about the new partnership with Rapidus.
Watch the full video at the link.
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