Judges announced for Electronics Excellence Award!

All entries to the award will be independently scored after being discussed in-depth by our judges. The highest scoring entry will be our winner.

More information about the award can be found here: https://electronicsexcellenceaward.com/

The judges are as follows:

Robert Owen, Director: Worldwide University Programme at Imagination Technologies

Robert Owen created and directed three of the world’s leading industry-to- university programmes: for Texas Instruments, Imagination Technologies, and RS Components.

In parallel, he created and ran a successful media business. In 2019 he returned to Imagination to revive and reposition the Imagination University Programme (‘IUP’), focused on the ‘silicon engines’ of GPUs (Graphics Processors), NNAs (Neural Network Accelerators), and a RISC-V-based family of CPUs. The application of these engines is driving urgent need for new education materials which provide hands-on learning using industrially-proven technologies. These materials enable teachers of the next generation of engineers and programmers to understand how to solve real-world problems with these exciting technologies.

Now in his 29th year in the field of Industry-to-Academia collaboration, Robert has unique insight into this market, and a formidable global network of relationships.

Rupert Baines, CMO at Codasip

Rupert is a seasoned start-up entrepreneur and CEO.  He has founded a number of technology companies and had three successful exits. He is now CMO of Codasip, developing RISC-V processors. He was CEO of UltraSoc (sold to Siemens – a deal done over lockdown!), and before that was CMO at Picochip (now part of Intel).

Helen Duncan, Content Marketing Specialist at MWE Media

Helen is a Marketing Consultant, writing and advising on the RF, wireless and semiconductor industries. After an early career as a microwave design engineer, she was Marketing Manager for two global semiconductor manufacturers, then Editor of Microwave Engineering Europe. She has a BSc (Hons) in Electronic Engineering, is a Chartered Engineer and member of the IET, IEEE and CIPR.

Emma Botfield, Managing Director UK & Ireland at RS Components

Emma leads RS (UK and Ireland), a FTSE 100 company and part of the RS Group, an omni-channel technology solutions provider to Industrial Customers and high service distributor of electronics and maintenance products. In her role, Emma strongly believes in supporting and driving change across the international matrix organisation through leading executive teams to continually strive to improve the customer, supplier and employee experience. This approach underpins the current RS Journey from ‘Good to Great’.

Mark Patrick, Technical Marketing Manager at Mouser Electronics

As Mouser Electronics’ Technical Marketing Manager for EMEA, Mark Patrick is responsible for creating and circulating technical content within the region - content that is key to Mouser’s strategy to support, inform and inspire its engineering audience. Before leading the Technical Marketing team, Mark held various technical and marketing positions at leading semiconductor manufacturers and distributors. A 'hands-on' engineer at heart, with a passion for vintage synthesisers and motorcycles, he thinks nothing of carrying out repairs on either. Mark holds a first-class Honours Degree in Engineering from Coventry University.

Thomas Gere, Senior Business Development, 5G IoT Smart Connected Buildings, Renesas Electronics

Thomas is a serial entrepreneur and senior executive with over 20 years’ experience in emerging technologies, such as Cloud AI, 5G and AR/VR. He is also specialised in the convergence of IoT and wireless connectivity, such as private LTE & 5G, to enable smart buildings and venues. Thomas is passionate about innovative solutions and partnerships to increase sustainability and well-being. Originally from France and lives in the UK with his family.

Nigel Watts, President at WPG

I joined the electronics industry in 1978 (GEC UK), trained as an engineer but migrated to sales and marketing in 1982. Since then, I have worked with over 200 semiconductor, electronic component, and system businesses, spanning the globe, in roles which include sales, marketing, senior management and business owner. In 2021, I sold my representative company, Ismosys and took the position of EMEA President for WPG, the world’s largest semiconductor distributor. I have an undying passion for the industry and am focused on driving business forward in creative ways to generate revenues for the company I work for and the partners we engage with.

Jamie Davey, Associate Vice President of Arrow Electronics 

James is based in the UK and has more than 18 years of experience in the electronics industry, including senior regional and worldwide roles in semiconductor design, engineering, field sales & marketing at Microchip, Toshiba, Cadence Design Systems and most recently, Arrow Electronics. James heads up the Design Services business in EMEA for a division of Arrow Electronics called eInfochips.

Jeremy Whittingham, Consultant for SMEs in Engineering, Science & Technology