Alain Charles joins Cambridge GaN Devices board
Appointment of semiconductor industry veteran is part of ambitious scale-up plans for Cambridge University spin-out
Alain Charles, semiconductor industry leader, joins Cambridge GaN Devices as non-executive board member
Cambridge GaN Devices Ltd, a fabless semiconductor company spun out of Cambridge University, has announced the appointment of industry veteran Alain Charles as a non-executive board member. Charles has more than 30 years in the semiconductor industry and has joined to accelerate CGD’s mission to shape a sustainable future for power electronics.
CGD is developing a range of GaN transistors that are customised for key applications in market segments such as consumer and industrial Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS), lighting, data centres and automotive HEV/EV. Its proprietary ICeGaN™ technology will allow it to replace silicon in those key applications, while enabling more compact power systems and better use of energy resources.
The appointment will see Charles offer CGD an independent view on the GaN ecosystem while serving as a strategic advisor on energy related initiatives, influencing and steering the board direction. He will also support CGD through strategic introductions to influential R&D institutions, partners, industry bodies and policy makers. These connections will help support CGD’s efforts towards delivering green electronics and reshaping the industry towards more sustainable practices.
He joins with the semiconductor industry on the cusp of major change. GaN powered devices are significantly higher performing than state-of-the-art silicon-based devices, enabling reductions in the size and weight of power converters, whilst producing energy efficiencies higher than 99%.
Giorgia Longobardi, CEO and founder of CGD, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Alain as non-executive member to the CGD board. His profound knowledge of the semiconductor industry and renowned expertise will be instrumental in helping CGD in its mission to create green electronics and deliver a more sustainable future in some of the most power-intensive industries. At CGD we are determined to change the electronics market with innovative products that help to solve problems through world-class engineering.”
Alain Charles commented: “I am very happy and honoured to join CGD as an independent advisor. Cooperating with so many friends, high calibre professionals and fresh engineers is exciting. The development in the industry that CGD is working on will help to emphasise the key role of GaN based power electronic to build a more energy efficient world.”
Charles is the fourth addition to the CGD board following its successful $9.5m Series A fundraising, with Tim Rae, Ed Stacey and Nick Mettyear - partners of venture capital backers BGF, IQ Capital and Foresight Williams - bringing with them deep industrial expertise and their network.
