Catapults

Our Team

CSA Catapult's team is comprised of talented people from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines with diverse skill-sets and broad-ranging interests.

 
Rob Bryan

Rob Bryan

Interim Chair

Rob Bryan is Interim Chair of CSA Catapult and he is a solicitor with vast experience in the publicly funded STEM space and leads the only legal practice dedicated to STEM. He has held senior in-house roles with major PLCs, GEC and Courtaulds Textiles. His work on behalf of learned societies, including the Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering and the Physiological Society has caused him to advise on some of the more high-profile issues that challenge STEM organisations. He is a qualified Chartered Company Secretary as well as Solicitor and is also a Non-Executive Director of the Open Data Institute. Rob is a visiting lecturer in Technology Protection & Management at Warwick University and has worked on two intellectual property cases that were successful in the House of Lords.

Stephen Duffy

Stephen Duffy

Non-Executive Director

Stephen has around twenty years experience in technical, operations and business development roles within the Semiconductor and Photonics industry. Stephen currently serves as Chief Executive Officer at Optocap Ltd, a technology company offering package design and assembly services for a wide range of optoelectronic and microelectronic devices. Stephen was co-owner of Optocap Ltd for several years following a successful Management Buy-Out (MBO) from previous owners, Scottish Enterprise and was co-owner and executive director at the time of the multi-million pound trade sale of Optocap Ltd to the German multi-national TUV NORD. He now sits on the Executive Management Committee of TUV NORD Aerospace Business Unit. He has been an expert evaluator the European Commission for a number of Horizon 2020 R&D projects for semiconductors and photonics and was a previous member of the European Space Agency working group for Hybrid and Packaging of semiconductor devices. Stephen has co-authored a number of technical papers on compound semiconductors and photonics and is the author of several trade-articles on semiconductor packaging. Stephen holds BSc Hons in Laser Physics and Optoelectronics from University of Strathclyde.

Dr Wyn Meredith

Dr Wyn Meredith

Non-Executive Director

Dr Wyn Meredith is director of the Compound Semiconductor Centre, a new Joint Venture between IQE Plc and Cardiff University, focussed on technology translation of research and design in compound semiconductor materials and devices. Dr Meredith is also an expert advisor to the UKs Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Cardiff University Department of Physics, The UK National III-V Centre, and provides executive level advisory services to numerous SMEs in the field of semiconductor technology.

Lorraine Rienecker

Lorraine Rienecker

Non-Executive Director

Lorraine Rienecker is an experienced executive leader and board member with a proven track record in delivering business transformation and growth in aerospace and defence, industrial and service businesses, including private equity. She continues to support deal transaction and execution services and most recently, was a Managing Director of Operations for Brookfield. Prior to that, Lorraine was President of Meggitt’s Customer Service and Support Division and a member of the executive leadership team for 12 years, leading strategic growth and commercial development. She also has extensive Board experience both with the Vitec Group and as chair or member of the Board and sub-committees for three private companies. Other senior roles include leading strategy for BAE Systems, consulting in A&D for Booz Allen and Hamilton, and as a programme manager for Bombardier in Canada. Lorraine is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and has a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and an MBA from INSEAD Business School.

Raj Gawera

Raj Gawera

Non-Executive Director

Raj Gawera has over 25 years of experience in short range and wireless comms technology R&D, business development and marketing. Raj was part of initial IEEE 802.11 team to define first WLAN standard in 1996 – a technology which has now shipped over 5bn units. Raj also helped pioneer the first 3G data transmissions working with Motorola and others to demonstrate one of the first video calls at the 3GSM show in 1998, many years before 3G licences were awarded. Raj was a founder member of startup UbiNetics (1999), that successfully exited in 2005 for over $120m USD. As part of that deal, Raj joined CSR and ultimately took the role of VP Marketing where he was part of the team that acquired SiRF Technologies for $136m (2009) to add GPS technology to CSR portfolio. In 2012, he helped sell CSR’s handset business to Samsung in a deal worth $310m for 310 staff. As part of that deal, Raj took up the role of VP Marketing responsible for defining future wireless products. In 2014, Raj was promoted to head up the SCSC subsidiary leading the silicon and software development for Samsung’s connectivity solutions. Raj now has responsibility for several European development centres delivering leading edge technology into Samsung’s semiconductor division. The technology from these development centres has now been in mass production in hundreds of millions of units across multiple global customers in mobile and IoT products.

Tammy Lillie

Tammy Lillie

Non-Executive Director

Tammy is the Chief People Officer and main board member for the Met Office - an executive agency and trading fund of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. It makes meteorological predictions across all timescales from weather forecasts to climate change. This appointment involves engagement and empowering people, both inside and outside the Met Office, to be better informed and act with confidence. Having a keen interest in how things work, Tammy embarked on a career in engineering.  Graduating from University College and Imperial College, London, with degrees in Mechanical and Environmental Engineering, the first half of Tammy’s career was spent in ship building design where she progressed to Chief Engineer at BAE Systems and was a Senior Principal Lecturer at Warsash Nautical College teaching merchant seafarers.  She then moved into human resources, using engineering principles to embed HR transformation into organisations through talent, leadership, and cultural change. Tammy is passionate about realising the potential of people to drive the business forward. Tammy is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering and a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Personal Development.  She also holds an Advanced Diploma in Coaching. Prior to joining the Met Office, Tammy headed the Organisational Capability team at Bristol Water, lead global talent and learning at Dialog Semiconductor and created a global learning and talent function from a standing start for Spirax Sarco Engineering.

Debbie Wilkinson

Debbie Wilkinson

Non-Executive Director

Debbie Wilkinson is a Chartered Accountant and brings over 15 years’ experience operating as a Director in an innovative engineering/manufacturing business.  Serving the majority of the time in Finance, Debbie also has experience in Operations, Sales & Marketing and General Management. Debbie joined the Catapult Board in July 2022 to lend her expertise to the audit and risk committee and ensure that all appropriate governance and compliance is followed.  In addition, her commercial SME knowledge will be of value to help support the Catapult during the next phase of our strategy.  Debbie holds a BEng in Mechanical Engineering from Cardiff University.  

Layla Moran MP

Layla Moran MP

Non-Executive Director

Layla is the Member of Parliament for Oxford West and Abingdon, where she was elected as a Liberal Democrat in the 2017 and 2019 General Elections. She read Physics at Imperial College and holds an MA in Comparative Education. Prior to her election, she worked for over a decade as a Maths and Physics teacher, primarily teaching the International Baccalaureate. During this time she also worked for a social enterprise leading curriculum development and the teaching staff delivering revision courses for students in person and online. She has an international background; her mother is a Christian Palestinian from Jerusalem, and her father was a British EU Ambassador - as such she lived in many countries including Belgium, Greece, Ethiopia, Jamaica and Jordan. In Parliament, Layla advocates for evidence-based policy-making. Recent campaigns include repealing the Vagrancy Act, a law that makes it illegal to be a rough sleeper in England and Wales, and banning NDAs in cases of sexual misconduct, bullying and harassment. She is Foreign Affairs Spokesperson for her party and chairs the respected All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus. She also previously served on the Public Accounts Committee.

Becky Jacobs

Becky Jacobs

Chief Financial Officer

As Chief Financial Officer and executive member of the Catapult’s Board of Directors, Becky is responsible for all financial, legal and compliance aspects of the Catapult to ensure that the organisation is best placed it deliver on its strategy. She provides strategic direction for the Catapult’s Finance, Legal, Procurement and Business Systems teams.  Becky brings financial expertise from a career in several sectors including Private Healthcare, Asset Management and Commercial property investment and development in the UK, Europe and Middle East. Prior to joining the Catapult Becky led the strategical and operational finances across a wide portfolio of private hospitals for Spire Healthcare PLC. Since joining the Catapult in 2018, Becky has built a professional and proactive team that provides insight to drive performance monitoring and effective decision making whilst ensuring a strong control environment.    Becky holds a BSc Econ in Accounting and Management from Cardiff University, is a Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA) and was promoted to the Board of the Catapult in the summer of 2021. 

Martin McHugh

Martin McHugh

CEO

As CEO and executive member of the Board, Martin leads the strategic direction of the Catapult, driving its approach to accelerate UK industry’s ability to exploit advancements in compound semiconductor technologies. Previously, as the Catapult’s CTO, he led the strategic direction of its four key technology areas in Power Electronics, RF and Microwave, Photonics and Microelectronic Packaging. Martin’s wealth of global technology experience has been developed through a host of technical and commercial roles with responsibilities covering the UK, Europe, and North America.   Prior to joining the CSA Catapult, he led the business and technology development for Microchip’s (Microsemi Corporation) advanced packaging business where, during his 20-year tenure, he played a key role in transforming the company’s focus from analogue telecoms to wireless digital communications.   Martin has been involved in collaborative research for nearly 20 years, holds several patents relating to microelectronic packaging, and since 2003 he has been a member of the Industrial Advisory Board of the School of Engineering at Cardiff University. He is deeply passionate about building communities – particularly locally, where he served as community councillor. Martin plays a leading role in the world’s first compound semiconductor cluster which will help build a successful UK compound semiconductor community. 

Amar Abid-Ali

Amar Abid-Ali

Chief Commercial Officer

Amar serves as the Chief Commercial Officer at CSA Catapult, where he is responsible for formulating and implementing the commercial strategy. He also oversees the development of collaborative research and development programmes with the UK industry, ensuring the successful delivery of the organisation's strategic objectives. Leading teams in strategic and business development, as well as market intelligence, Amar is focused on all facets of the organisation’s customer engagement activities.  With over 24 years of experience in the electronics industry, Amar has amassed considerable expertise in the creation of market-leading semiconductor applications across a multitude of market segments. His sector-specific technological and market knowledge is further enriched by his strong interests in future telecoms, artificial intelligence, quantum, clean energy, and the future of mobility.  Prior to joining CSA Catapult in February 2019, Amar led the EMEA Vertical Segments and Business Development team at Future Electronics. Amar has and MSc in Data Communications Systems from Brunel University and is a member of the Techworks NMI Semiconductor Leadership Group and the UK Quantum Leadership steering group.  

Becky Jacobs

Becky Jacobs

Chief Financial Officer

As Chief Financial Officer and executive member of the Catapult’s Board of Directors, Becky is responsible for all financial, legal and compliance aspects of the Catapult to ensure that the organisation is best placed it deliver on its strategy. She provides strategic direction for the Catapult’s Finance, Legal, Procurement and Business Systems teams.  Becky brings financial expertise from a career in several sectors including Private Healthcare, Asset Management and Commercial property investment and development in the UK, Europe and Middle East. Prior to joining the Catapult Becky led the strategical and operational finances across a wide portfolio of private hospitals for Spire Healthcare PLC. Since joining the Catapult in 2018, Becky has built a professional and proactive team that provides insight to drive performance monitoring and effective decision making whilst ensuring a strong control environment.    Becky holds a BSc Econ in Accounting and Management from Cardiff University, is a Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA) and was promoted to the Board of the Catapult in the summer of 2021. 

Clare Gunning

Clare Gunning

Director of People and Resources

Clare is Director of People and Resources at CSA Catapult, and provides strategic direction for our Skills Academy, HR, Facilities and IT teams. Clare has overall responsibility for the company’s resources to deliver its mission and develop a collaborative, supportive and inclusive culture.   Clare joined CSA Catapult at the end of 2018 and has worked to build a positive, diverse and inclusive workplace at the Catapult. Her positive work in supporting mental health and wellbeing, and implementation of those strategies, has previously won her awards and was highly commended in CIPD’s National Awards. One of Clare’s aims for the Catapult is to help build a pipeline of talent for STEM careers. Her background in education and skills development has allowed her to create an innovative People strategy for the company, ensuring that professional development for colleagues is a key part of our offering to employees.   A chartered fellow of the CIPD, Clare has over 20 years’ experience in HR and organisational design and holds an MSc in Human Resource Management.  She is an experienced coach and non-executive director.  

Leonie White

Leonie White

Communications Director

Leonie joined CSA Catapult in 2022 as Director of Communications and leads on communications, marketing, events, and economic impact of the Catapult and is responsible for all internal and external communication.   Leonie has more than twenty years’ experience in corporate communications in innovation, energy, education and financial services sectors.   Prior to joining the Catapult, Leonie had worked in education and also spent 10 years working at Centrica in corporate affairs and digital transformation. Her interest in innovation began when she had the opportunity to lead on digital transformation strategy at Centrica and set up its first internal accelerator hub to change the culture of the organisation. She worked with technologists across the organisation to develop stories and strategies to showcase how their work improved customer experience. She has a wide range of experience in reputation management, stakeholder engagement, managing change and crisis and issues management working in agencies and in-house. She has experience as a non-executive director, is a member of the CIPR and a post graduate Diploma in Public and Media Relations from Cardiff University. 

Martin McHugh

Martin McHugh

CEO

As CEO and executive member of the Board, Martin leads the strategic direction of the Catapult, driving its approach to accelerate UK industry’s ability to exploit advancements in compound semiconductor technologies. Previously, as the Catapult’s CTO, he led the strategic direction of its four key technology areas in Power Electronics, RF and Microwave, Photonics and Microelectronic Packaging. Martin’s wealth of global technology experience has been developed through a host of technical and commercial roles with responsibilities covering the UK, Europe, and North America.   Prior to joining the CSA Catapult, he led the business and technology development for Microchip’s (Microsemi Corporation) advanced packaging business where, during his 20-year tenure, he played a key role in transforming the company’s focus from analogue telecoms to wireless digital communications.   Martin has been involved in collaborative research for nearly 20 years, holds several patents relating to microelectronic packaging, and since 2003 he has been a member of the Industrial Advisory Board of the School of Engineering at Cardiff University. He is deeply passionate about building communities – particularly locally, where he served as community councillor. Martin plays a leading role in the world’s first compound semiconductor cluster which will help build a successful UK compound semiconductor community. 

Nick Singh Chief Technology Officer

Nick Singh

Chief Technology Officer

Nick is the Chief Technology Officer at CSA Catapult and is responsible for the technical strategic direction of the organisation, focusing on power electronics, photonics, radio frequency and advanced packaging. Prior to joining the Catapult, he was CTO of PhotonFirst (Netherlands), a pioneer of PIC sensing and advanced packaging in markets such as aerospace, medical, automotive and energy.  He began his career in electronics and semiconductors in the mid-nineties in France. He worked at Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology for over a decade and his team developed equipment and processes for epitaxy, deposition and etching.   Nick was Group CTO at Scienta where he was responsible for technology and applications developments in XPS, graphene, OLEDs and plastic electronics. He was also CTO of a start-up for eight years where he helped scale up to deliver innovative net zero solutions and led overseas expansion. Nick is a Fellow and Chartered Engineer of the UK’s Institute of Engineering & Technology (IET). He has a PhD in Plasma Physics and Electrical and Electronics Engineering degree, specialization Power Electronics from University Paul Sabatier Toulouse.  

CSA Catapult Team Away Day 2022