Paris, France--The European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC) has elected Dr. Drew Nelson--currently CEO of advanced semiconductor wafer supplier IQE (Cardiff, Wales)--as its new president. Drew Nelson succeeds Jean-François Coutris of Sagem Défense et Sécurité who completed two terms serving as the 2nd President of EPIC. Dr. Nelson will begin his term on 5 April 2011, presiding at the Annual General Assembly of EPIC in Paris.
Dr Drew Nelson co-founded EPI in 1988, raising start up capital from Shell Ventures, and has held the role of Chief Executive Officer since 1996, when he led a management buy-out from Shell. In 1999, he led the merger of EPI with US based QED, forming the IQE Group, which was subsequently listed, initially on EASDAQ in 1999, then fully listed on the LSE in 2000. IQE has grown to be the largest outsource manufacturer of advanced semiconductor wafers, supplying all 12 of the top wireless chip companies globally, and now consists of eight group companies spanning Europe, US and Asia.
In July 2000, Dr. Nelson was awarded a silver medal by the Royal Academy of Engineering for his contribution to British Engineering and was awarded the OBE for services to the Electronics Industry in the Queen's Birthday Honours, 2001. In 2004 he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, and was awarded an Honorary Dr. Eng degree from the University of Sheffield in 2005.
Source: EPIC