Last checked at 24 Nov 2020 07:00
IQE plc: Leadership AnnouncementIQE plc
(“IQE” or the “Group”)
Leadership Announcement
Cardiff, UK24 November 2020
IQE plc (AIM: IQE) the leading supplier of advanced wafer products and material solutions to the semiconductor industry, provides a leadership announcement alongside its trading update for the financial year ending 31 December 2020 also announced today.
Leadership Update
IQE today announces a new stage in the evolution of the company as Dr Drew Nelson, founder and CEO, plans to step aside from his current role once a successor has been found.
This change will enable a new CEO to lead IQE during its next phase, as it positions itself to capitalise on both its strong market position and the growth opportunities presented by the advent of 5G and the Internet of Things.
Dr Nelson will remain as CEO until the right individual is appointed. Following any necessary handover period, he will become a board member with the title of President. As such, he will act in an advisory and ambassadorial role for the business, which he co-founded in 1988.
Under his successful stewardship, IQE has become a global company at the forefront of the UK’s high-tech manufacturing sector, with 650 staff and a footprint spanning Europe, the USA and Asia.
Dr Nelson has also been the driving force behind the establishment of the world’s first Compound Semiconductor Cluster, located in South Wales (CS Connected) and he plans to devote more of his time to the further development of the CS Cluster.
Board Update
On 5 November 2020 Mrs Carol Chesney, FCA, was appointed as the Senior Independent Director. Mrs Chesney joined IQE’s Board in May 2019 and is the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Dr Drew Nelson, Chief Executive Officer of IQE, said
“I have been extremely proud and privileged to serve IQE and its shareholders as CEO for the last 30 years. This now feels like the appropriate time to look for a new CEO to take over the leadership of the business and oversee the next exciting growth phase.
I look forward to remaining on the Board and working with the executive team as it leads IQE into an exciting future.”
Phil Smith, Chairman of IQE, said
“I want to thank Drew for his ongoing passion, commitment and contribution to IQE. Continuing as a board member once the new CEO is in place, he will be able to provide IQE with his expertise and industry knowledge and will remain with the company as a powerful ambassador and advisor. We look forward to working with him in this new capacity."
Contacts:
IQE plc+44 (0) 29 2083 9400Drew NelsonTim PullenAmy Barlow Peel Hunt LLP (Nomad and Joint Broker)+44 (0) 20 7418 8900Edward KnightPaul GillamNick Prowting Citigroup Global Markets Limited (Joint Broker)+44 (0) 20 7986 4000Christopher WrenPeter Catterall
Headland Consultancy (Financial PR) + 44 (0) 20 38054822
Andy Rivett-Carnac: +44 (0) 7968 997 365Chloe Francklin: +44 (0)78 3497 4624
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/ 2014. For the purposes of MAR and Article 2 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1055, this announcement is being made on behalf of IQE by Tim Pullen, Chief Financial Officer of IQE.
ABOUT IQEhttp://iqep.com
IQE is the leading global supplier of advanced compound semiconductor wafers and materials solutions that enable a diverse range of applications across:
handset devicesglobal telecoms infrastructureconnected devices3D SensingAs a scaled global epitaxy wafer manufacturer, IQE is uniquely positioned in this market which has high barriers to entry. IQE supplies the whole market and is agnostic to the winners and losers at chip and OEM level. By leveraging the Group’s intellectual property portfolio including know-how and patents, it produces epitaxy wafers of superior quality, yield and unit economics.