Who We Are

David is responsible for Thales OME’s UK Design Assurance and Technical Innovation across its wide product portfolio to support operational requirements in the Air, Land and Naval domains.  Thales OME employees approximately 800 people in Glasgow and 200 in Reading.

With more than 35 years technical leadership, innovating and developing high performance Optronics solutions for use by the UK armed forces and our allies.

Alan Anderson, MEng, MBA, CEng, FIET, is Senior Director of Research & Development at Optos, part of the Nikon Healthcare Division, where he leads a global team of engineers developing pioneering medical imaging solutions for eye health.

Over a 25‑year career spanning med‑tech, aerospace, defence, and telecommunications—and with eleven patents—he has established a strong record of turning innovation into impactful products. He is currently focused on advancing and commercialising the next wave of Critical Technologies.

Simon leads Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd and supports Fraunhofer Centre Applied Photonics, based at the University of Strathclyde, in Glasgow.

Fraunhofer CAP is succeeding in its mission to help the UK economy by providing high quality applied R&D in lasers, optical and quantum systems, accelerating innovations for many sectors including lifescience, environmental monitoring, LIDAR and quantum sensing and communications.  Simon is Chair of AIRTO Ltd, and is a Non-Executive Director of PLG Ltd, Technology Scotland Ltd and Glasgow Science Centre.

In this role Andy is responsible for prototyping system concepts – producing NXP system solutions and tooling for the Software-Defined Vehicle.  Andy has over 30 years’ experience in the industry with Motorola, Freescale & NXP in various technology, product & system development positions and for the last 5 years has been responsible for leading NXP in the UK.

Dr Brendan Casey is CEO at Kelvin Nanotechnology (KNT) where he is responsible for strategy and day to day operations of the company. Kelvin Nanotechnology is a subsidiary company of the University of Glasgow and the commercial arm of the University’s nanofabrication facility, the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre. Kelvin Nanotechnology is responsible for the commercial activity run through the facility and specialise in semiconductor processing for quantum, photonics and critical technologies. Since joining KNT, Dr Casey has built up a substantial global customer portfolio and has
played a key role in the technology incubation and support of multiple start-up companies. Dr Casey has a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) degree in Electronics and Electrical Engineering and a PhD in Bioelectronics from the University of Glasgow. He sits on the Advisory Board of Scotland’s Critical Technologies Supercluster and the Independent Advisory Board for the Quantum Enabled Position Navigation and Timing Hub and is Co-Chair of the University of Glasgow’s Critical Technologies Innovation Fund.

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Jillian Hughes began her career with an apprenticeship at National Semiconductor in Scotland, completing training in 1991. She spent 15 years developing expertise in semiconductor equipment and process engineering with major global firms. She later led operations in specialised semiconductor businesses and, in 2020, became NMI Director at Techworks, supporting UK industry collaboration. After serving as COO and CFO of a semiconductor OEM, she returned to Techworks as Head of Semiconductors and holds board and advisory roles.

Shahida Imani is CEO and co-founder of Singular Photonics, a pioneer in computational image sensor technologies. The company develops advanced sensors using single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) technology, combining ultra-sensitive light detection with intelligent on-chip computation. Shahida brings over 15 years of experience in the Scottish technology sector, previously serving as CEO of Chromacity Ltd. An MIT Sloan alumna, she serves on the Board of the European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC), is Chair of the Photonics Leadership Group (PLG), and Vice Chair of Technology Scotland’s Advisory Committee.

An Engineering Alumni of the University of Western Australia, Darryl has working various roles spanning R&D, sales and product management in the laser and optics industry over the last 30 years.  He joined Coherent in 2011 as a senior product manager, for Chameleon Ultrafast lasers, and led the product strategy for ultrafast lasers until 2024.  He is now the General Manager for Coherent’s ultrafast laser centre of excellence in Glasgow, Scotland.

Graduated with a BENG (Hons) from the University of Hull in 1995

Spent over 30 years in the Semiconductor Industry in Scotland.

Progressed through the engineering organisation at fabrication site, from line technician to Department manager, then moved into the operations side of the business 2019.

Since diverged from tactical operations to my current role in strategic planning.

Sits on the board of CeeD.

Andrew McKee is Chief Technology Officer at Sivers Semiconductors. He has been with the company since 2001 and is a founding member of its photonics business (formerly CST Global). He holds a BSc (Hons) and a PhD in Electronic Engineering from the University of Glasgow. His expertise spans III–V photonic device design and manufacturing, including work at Agilent Technologies. He leads the company’s photonics technical roadmap, overseeing development of advanced semiconductor laser and photonic technologies for communications, sensing, and next-generation connectivity applications.

Professor Gillian Murray is Deputy Principal and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Business & Enterprise) at Heriot-Watt University, leading strategic growth in innovation, enterprise, and lifelong learning. Since 2016, she has driven major institutional strategies and shaped national and regional programmes that strengthen innovation ecosystems and sustainable economic growth. She has expanded lifelong learning through Graduate Apprenticeships and flexible online education. Nationally, she contributes to policy and best practice, serving on influential boards including Scottish Enterprise and the CBI Council for Scotland.

Martin Murray has worked for Shin-Etsu Handotai Europe ltd. for 30 years in various operational roles. In his current role his responsibilities include Health and Safety, Human Resources and Procurement.

Iain has worked on the design, development and qualification of numerous military airborne radars over the last 25 years. He has played a leading role in all of the company’s electronically scanned radar programmes covering both surveillance and fighter platforms.

He is responsible for defining and delivering Leonardo’s technology and product strategies across radar, infra-red counter measures and high energy laser systems. Iain also leads interactions with academic & research communities, academic chairs and lectureships as well as sponsorship of PhD students.

Graeme joined Semefab in 2017 progressing to Process & Development Manager, COO and CEO/Director.

Graduated in Applied Physics from Strathclyde University. His career commenced in the Semiconductor industry at GEC Hirst Research Centre, then Motorola/Freescale Semiconductor, with responsibilities of both Process and Equipment teams in both Fabrication and Probe & Final Operations.

After leaving Freescale, Graeme joined Merpro/NOV in the Oil & Gas Topsides sector, gaining further financial and planning experience as a global Engineering Project Manager.

Caroline Woodside has over 25 years of experience working in the university sector with a strong track record translating, exploiting, and commercialising academic research across a wide range of fields and sectors from medicine and life sciences to quantum computing and semiconductors. Exploiting the power of interdisciplinary research excellence and innovation to deliver real world applications, she is experienced in international strategic partnerships development, the negotiation of large complex multi-partner collaborations with academic, industry and other stakeholders and industry-led funding.

Jen brings vast Semiconductor Industry experience within operational and managerial positions in Equipment, Process Engineering, Process Development and Business Management.  Jen led many SiC projects and was key in the early Silicon Carbide industry engagements in the UK. She is an Engineering and MBA graduate and certified 6-sigma practitioner. Jen holds the position of Director and CEO within Clas-SiC Wafer Fab. She also sits on the Government Advisory Panel for Semiconductors, helping shape the UK strategy for the sector.

Paul Winstanley  is a fluent translator across innovation, governance, and enterprise, able to turn deep-tech into impactful real-world delivery. A physicist by background. Early career was  at the UK’s Ministry of Defence developing high-power directed-energy laser systems. Then served at QinetiQ plc, latterly as CEO & President of QinetiQ Inc. In the last decade, was the inaugural  Executive Director – Innovations at The UK Defence Solutions Centre (UKDSC), and then CEO at CENSIS – Scotland’s Innovation Centre for Sensing & Imaging Systems.

Since obtaining his PhD in Chemistry, Ally has built up over 20 years’ experience working in both technical and commercial roles across the UK’s Science and Technology sectors. Ally’s career has included roles at Ciba UK, Johnson Matthey and Renishaw, where he has gained experience in a diverse range of sectors, from chemicals and infectious disease diagnostics to photonics and future mobility.

Alison is responsible for the Photonics Scotland network; connecting members with the support they need, fostering cross-collaboration, representing the interests of the network and sector to Government and other stakeholders, as well as planning and running specific events and activities for the Photonics Scotland network and beyond.

Alison has over 20 years of experience working in academic, industrial and consultancy roles. After achieving her PhD in Photonics she worked as a Research Associate before leaving academia and joining industry in the role of technical sales/account manager in the health physics and photonics sectors. Alison then moved to a role dedicated to project management and proposal writing for EU funded projects, gaining extensive experience across a wide variety of collaborative research topics.

Dr. Elena Kniazeva holds a double PhD from the European Marie Skłodowska-Curie network, where she conducted research on advanced semiconductor lasers and QEPAS gas sensing technologies across Italy, France, and Germany, building on her prior experience in fiber-optic sensing. Before joining Technology Scotland as Senior Programme Manager, she worked as an R&D Engineer at the Critical Technologies Accelerator (University of Glasgow), working on complex multi-stakeholder projects in semiconductor and quantum technologies. Elena also brings extensive prior experience in scientific communication and outreach, combining technical expertise with strong collaboration and leadership skills to drive innovation and strengthen Scotland’s critical technologies community.

Jack is the policy lead for Critical Technologies and Robotics in the Scottish government’s Directorate for Economic Development. He works with industry, academia and public sector partners to drive growth across Scotland’s Critical Technologies supercluster.

Prior to joining the civil service, Jack ran commercially sensitive shipping security operations across the Middle East, West Africa and Indian Ocean. He holds a first class MA (Hons) in Politics and International Relations from the University of Aberdeen.

Mark Western spent 22 years in the semiconductor industry designing and marketing chips before moving into a career in economic development at Scottish Enterprise, supporting High Technology industries to develop in Scotland. With degrees in Engineering and Classical Studies, alongside his hard-learned knowledge of economics and business, Mark likes to consider challenges from all angles.

Evelyn is Director of Strategy for the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre (JWNC) at the University of Glasgow, and Programme Director for the proposed Critical Technologies Nanofabrication Facility (CTNF).  She joined Motorola Semiconductor as a graduate, eventually running a European Microcontroller Business Unit. She was Managing Director in a successful IT SME for almost 10 years establishing it as a recognised market leader.  Evelyn serves on the Board of Technology Scotland and is passionate about growing and promoting Scotland’s critical tech capabilities

Matthew Maynard is currently the Director of Strategic Projects at the University of Strathclyde, where he has responsibility for large programmes with significant industrial and government involvement. He leads the GCRIZ National Advanced Semiconductor Packaging and Integration Centre (NASPIC) programme, the HVMC Semiconductor Review programme and sits on the UK Government’s Jet Zero Council. He also led the development of the recently opened Advanced Net Zero Innovation Centre, which houses NASPIC as well as wide energy test facilities.

Before joining the University full time, he was a joint appointment between the University and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) where he was Head of Advanced Manufacturing with responsibility for the delivery of the technology and services for the UK advanced manufacturing industry, and Director of NPL Scotland, building one of NPL’s regional centres. Prior to taking up his role at NPL he was the Global Chief of Research and Technology for Electrical Power and Controls within Rolls-Royce. During this time, he took up the post of Director of the Rolls-Royce@NTU Corporate Lab, a major research undertaking between Rolls-Royce and Nanyang Technological University (NTU), where he is currently a Visiting Professor. Before joining Rolls-Royce he was Head of Power Systems within the Airbus group, driving the development of technologies for power systems for Airbus products.