News: Suppliers
20 April 2026
UK Semiconductor Centre appoints director of international partnerships
The UK Semiconductor Centre (UKSC) has appointed Brian Robertson as director of international partnerships to lead on strengthening the UK’s global position in semiconductors and deepening connections between the UK ecosystem and international partners.
He will work on building mutually beneficial relationships with international government agencies and businesses, with a focus on attracting more foreign direct investment into the country.
Robertson joins the UKSC at a critical time for the global semiconductor sector, which is expected to double over the next decade, fuelled by demand for AI, quantum, electrification and advanced computing.
He will be tasked with identifying priority international opportunities, building long-term relationships, and helping the UK to navigate the global semiconductor landscape, including evolving supply chains, critical materials and geopolitical dynamics.
Robertson has over 25 years of international experience across telecommunications, technology and semiconductor ecosystems, including roles at Arm, Broadcom, Texas Instruments, and NXP. He has led global teams in AI, quantum, mobile and compute, and joins the UKSC from the GSMA, where he was head of industry strategy. He has worked extensively with operators, hyperscalers and silicon vendors to build strategic partnerships, shape industry initiatives and drive growth through complex, multi-party collaboration.
Picture: Brian Robertson, UKSC’s new director of international partnerships.
“The UK has a strong and increasingly respected semiconductor ecosystem, with a clear opportunity to scale, attract inward investment, and strengthen its position in a highly competitive global landscape. International partnerships will play a critical role in unlocking that potential,” comments Robertson. “I look forward to working with colleagues and partners across industry, government and academia to build strategic relationships that drive collaboration, support innovation, and enable sustainable long-term growth.”
The UKSC was established to connect, convene and promote the UK’s semiconductor industry on the global stage, ensuring that innovation translates into scaled commercial success and economic growth. It aligns support around key technologies where the UK has genuine competitive advantage, including photonics, compound semiconductors, quantum technologies and next-generation computing architectures.
“We’re delighted to welcome Brian to the UKSC at a pivotal moment for the global semiconductor industry, which is rapidly evolving and creating enormous opportunities for the UK,” says UKSC’s chief operating officer Raj Gawera. “Brian’s wealth of experience across the global semiconductor ecosystem will ensure that the UK is primed to capitalize on these opportunities, driving long-term partnerships, investment and growth.”
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