Raj Gawera has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of the UK Semiconductor Centre (UKSC).
He will lead the early mobilisation and engagement of the UKSC as it builds ambitious plans to champion the UK semiconductor sector on the global stage.
The UKSC will drive growth, create global partnerships, and accelerate innovation across the UK semiconductor ecosystem. From start-ups to scale-ups, it will provide access to infrastructure, investment, knowledge and expertise through the entire UK supply chain.
The UKSC will focus on UK's strengths in design and IP, compound semiconductors and R&D.
Raj Gawera brings a wealth of experience from his extensive career in the semiconductor industry.
In his role as Vice President and Managing Director at Samsung Semiconductor (Cambridge and Denmark), he led silicon and software development for the company’s connectivity solutions, overseeing several European development centres whose technologies now feature in hundreds of millions of devices worldwide.
Raj also played a pioneering role in mobile technology, helping demonstrate one of the first 3G video calls in 1998 and co-founding UbiNetics, a 3G technology company. He later joined Cambridge Silicon Radio (CSR) as Vice President of Marketing, driving the handset business which supplied connectivity chips into tier 1 OEMs.
Raj also brings board level experience having served as the Chair of the Board for Cambridge Wireless and, more recently, appointed as a Non-Executive Director of CSA Catapult in 2021.
In his new role, Raj will be responsible for accelerating the Centre’s impact across its five core missions: creating stronger global partnerships and greater inward investment; scaling-up UK semiconductor companies; creating a connected and more visible UK ecosystem; aligning industry and academia behind a strategic semiconductor roadmap; and developing the skilled workforce for the industry.
“I am honoured to lead the UK Semiconductor Centre at this important time. The missions will build a world-class UK semiconductor ecosystem that drives scale-up, attracts global investment and partnerships to fuel growth.”
Raj Gawera, Chief Operating Officer, UK Semiconductor Centre
“Raj’s extensive track record and leadership will be instrumental in delivering the UK Semiconductor Centre’s missions. His appointment reflects our commitment to fostering international collaboration, driving foreign direct investment, sector scale-up, and ensuring the UK semiconductor industry’s global competitiveness.”
Jonathan Flint CBE, co-chair of the UK Semiconductor Centre Interim Steering Group
“Raj’s experience and leadership will be pivotal for the UK Semiconductor Centre as we move to strengthen the nation’s semiconductor capabilities and deliver our missions, from fostering international collaboration and driving inward investment to enhancing the UK’s global competitiveness in this critical sector.”
Jalal Bagherli CBE, co-chair of the UK Semiconductor Centre Interim Steering Group
