The UK Semiconductor Centre (UKSC) has appointed its first Chief Executive Officer to deliver on its vision of establishing the UK as a global leader in semiconductors by accelerating scale-up, investment and commercial growth across the sector.
Bringing four decades of experience working at leading semiconductor companies in the US, Andy McLean says the UK has deep strengths across chip design, photonics, advanced processes and materials, and compound semiconductors. This puts the UK at the forefront of leading applications, including AI and future compute, quantum, and electrification.
The UK, he says, has a rare opportunity to turn technology leadership in commercial scale as the global semiconductor market doubles to more than $1.6trn by 2030.
Raj Gawera, who has successfully led the launch, mobilisation and early nationwide engagement of the UKSC as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and interim CEO, will continue to lead the strategic operations of the organization as full-time COO.
Originally from the UK, McLean returns after an extensive career in the US, which included senior leadership roles at Analog Devices, Texas Instruments and National Semiconductor.
Andy most recently served as Corporate Vice President of Communications & Cloud at Analog Devices, where he was responsible for a portfolio worth more than $1bn across wireless and wired communications and power products.
He will be responsible for delivering the UKSC’s mission, which will see it accelerate economic growth by attracting global partners, securing investment and driving scale-up, and aligning efforts around technologies where the UK has a genuine competitive advantage.
The appointment comes amid accelerating public and private investment across advanced computing and semiconductor-adjacent technologies, including the new £2 billion quantum programme, the £500m Sovereign AI Unit and major funding rounds for companies such as Fractile, Olix and Nu Quantum. These investments are strengthening the UK’s position in strategically important areas for the global semiconductor market.
"The UK has a unique opportunity to expand its world-leading capabilities and become a global leader in semiconductors.
“What convinced me to return to the UK is the new level of ambition I’m seeing from government, industry and academia. Historically, the UK has struggled to retain and scale its most promising semiconductor companies. But what is different now is the clear strategic intent and willingness to drive economic growth through frontier technologies such as semiconductors.
"The UK is recognised globally as having world-class engineering talent and genuine competitive advantages in areas like chip design, photonics, advanced processes and materials, and compound semiconductors, but we need more ambition and coordination if we’re to accelerate scale-up, drive greater inward investment and develop the workforce the sector needs – that’s what I’m here to help deliver.”
Andy McLean, Chief Executive Officer, UK Semiconductor Centre
Andy’s appointment is the latest in a series of new hires made to bolster the UKSC’s senior team. This includes Brian Robertson as director of international partnerships, Martin O’Sullivan as director of investment and Steve Taylor as director of strategic marketing. These hires join Alex Leadley, Interim Director of Skills and Workforce, and Raj Gawera, Chief Operating Officer.
The UKSC also recently launched its London HQ at the Institute of Physics (IOP) in King’s Cross, located in the heart of London’s ‘Knowledge Quarter’ alongside Google’s new £1bn development, DeepMind, Meta, ARIA and University College London. Both OpenAI and Anthropic also plan to open offices at King’s Cross in the near future.
"Andy brings exactly the combination of technical depth and strategy that we need at this critical moment.
“His first-hand experience of managing billion-dollar portfolios and bringing innovative technologies to market will be invaluable as we work to unlock the full potential of the UK semiconductor sector.
"This experience, matched with his passion and enthusiasm for making the UK a success, positions him perfectly to deliver the UKSC’s mission.
“On behalf of the Steering Group, I’d also like to thank Raj Gawera for his exemplary work and leadership in establishing the UKSC and laying the foundations for future success.”
Jonathan Flint, Co-chair of UK Semiconductor Centre Steering Group
“At this pivotal moment for the UK semiconductor sector, Andy’s international experience and commercial perspective will play a vital role in bridging the gap between innovation and scale.
“Andy’s international semiconductor industry knowledge, together with his drive and leadership will accelerate the UK Semiconductor Centre towards its goal of establishing the UK as a recognised global player that can strategically compete, as well as collaborate and succeed, on the world stage.”
Jalal Bagherli, Co-chair of UK's Semiconductor Advisory Committee
"Semiconductors are at the heart of the technologies driving the next decade of economic growth – from AI and quantum to clean energy – and the UK has genuine, world-leading strengths in this industry.
“Andy McLean's appointment to CEO is an important step in turning the UK's world-class expertise into the commercial scale success our Industrial Strategy demands, sending a clear signal that we are serious about backing our most strategically important industries.
“As the global semiconductor market heads towards $1.6 trillion, we intend for the UK to be a major player.”
Kanishka Narayan MP, Minister for AI and Online Safety
