TechWorks appoints Jillian Hughes as Head of Semiconductors
Jillian brings over 30 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, having held positions at National Semiconductor, Seagate Microelectronics, and Motorola. She has also previously worked at TechWorks as Network Director for the UK’s semiconductor manufacturing body NMI.
As Head of Semiconductors, Jillian Hughes will oversee the development of the TechWorks Semiconductor and Systems Design Network, advancing the UK semiconductor industry on a global scale and contributing to TechWorks' government advocacy activities.
A recent Government Report, ‘Semiconductor Sector Study’, which TechWorks co-authored highlighted that UK semiconductor companies generated £9.6 billion in revenue in 2022, representing approximately 2% of global revenues. and the sector employs an estimated 15,000 people across the country, with UK-based companies accounting for more than 60% of this workforce.
TechWorks’ Semiconductor Systems Design Network will lead strategic initiatives to strengthen the UK industry. These include fostering cross-industry collaboration to tackle business and technology challenges, supporting innovation through cross-sector projects, and promoting academia-industry partnerships to advance research. The network will also help develop international trade opportunities to expand the UK’s global influence and work closely with government bodies on strategy, policy, and trade initiatives that drive sector growth.
Jillian Hughes commented, “Semiconductors are transforming our lives and underpin all new emerging technologies. The UK possesses a strong heritage in chip design and manufacturing ever since the first commercialised transistors in the 1950s, and today hosts many globally successful companies. I am excited to be rejoining TechWorks to lead our semiconductor initiatives, working with industry, academia and government as we continue to drive growth across this critical sector.”
Charles Sturman, CEO of TechWorks, added, “I am excited to welcome Jillian back to TechWorks at a unique moment in the global semiconductor industry. The market is forecast to double to $1 trillion in the next 5 years, presenting huge opportunities for the UK economy. Jillian’s experience and drive will allow us to accelerate our collaboration activities to help grow the UK Deep Tech sector, extend our international outreach, and build stronger links with government. The UK has world-class strength in semiconductor design, with more than 150 companies active today, and building on this will be her focus going forward.”
TechWorks will continue working alongside leading UK semiconductor firms to address the challenges and capitalise on the opportunities that will drive UK success in this critical sector.
