Day 2 · 30 September 2026

Talent
Foundry

Shaping Skills. Forging Careers. Powering Microelectronics.

11:00 – 13:10
Talent Foundry Stage · Excel London
Students & Early-Career Engineers
Talking to exhibitors at Microelectronics UK
Careers area Microelectronics UK
Student on racing simulation Microelectronics UK
About the Programme

A dedicated space for the next generation of UK microelectronics talent

Taking place on the morning of Day 2 at Microelectronics UK 2026, the Talent Foundry is a dedicated skills and mentoring experience designed to connect students and early-career engineers with the people shaping the future of the microelectronics industry.

In an interactive roundtable format, attendees gain rare, face-to-face access to experienced industry professionals — offering honest insight into career pathways, in-demand skills, and what it really takes to succeed in microelectronics today.

Three focused sessions run across the morning of 30 September, each featuring a different group of experts representing a wide range of technical backgrounds, roles, and career journeys.

Why Attend
Explore real-world career routes Discover pathways into semiconductors, photonics, embedded systems and beyond
Ask candid questions in a small-group setting Intimate roundtable format — no lecture theatre, no awkward Q&As
Build connections with industry leaders Mentors from across the UK microelectronics ecosystem
Your Student ticket to the full show is free 4 stages, 150+ exhibitors, 120+ speakers — included at no cost

Session Schedule

30 September 2026 · Talent Foundry Stage · Excel London

11:00 – 11:40
Set 1
Talent Foundry Stage

A first cohort of mentors spans laser physics, chip architecture and workforce development — offering early-career engineers an honest look at career routes across the full microelectronics spectrum.

11:45 – 12:25
Set 2
Talent Foundry Stage

A fresh group of mentors brings perspectives from quantum photonics, HR leadership in deep-tech, and semiconductor strategy at hyperscale cloud — different journeys, shared insights.

12:30 – 13:10
Set 3
Talent Foundry Stage

The final session draws together mentors with deep experience in innovation strategy, product leadership, and talent pipelines — exploring what companies are actually looking for as the UK scales its microelectronics ambitions.

Talent Foundry · 30 September 2026

Meet the Mentors

Industry professionals confirmed for Microelectronics UK 2026 — three sessions, three groups of mentors, one morning of honest career conversations.

Session 1 · 11:00 – 11:40
UKESF
Session 1
Mahdieh Ghoddusi
UKESF
DSTL
Session 1
Dr John Robertson
DSTL
ClearSpace
Session 1
Robert Atchison
ClearSpace
AWS
Session 1
Pushparaju Thangavel
AWS
Session 2 · 11:45 – 12:25
Leonardo
Session 2
Karen Jane Gordon
Leonardo
5VTech
Session 2
Jake Gilbert
5VTech
Volkswagen
Session 2
Alexandra Zaayman
Volkswagen
Eaton
Session 2
Olga Rubesova
Eaton
Session 3 · 12:30 – 13:10
Arm
Session 3
Krishnapriya C.R.
Arm
Andrew Lord
Session 3
Andrew Lord
BT
Johan Carlsson
Session 3
Johan Carlsson
Dassault
Nokia
Session 3
Trevor Bailey
Nokia

Your Student Ticket is Free — Claim it Now

29–30 September 2026 · Excel London · 4,000+ Attendees · 120+ Speakers

Claim Your Student Ticket
For Participating Companies & Experts

Want to Shape the Next Generation of UK Microelectronics Engineers?

Become a Talent Foundry mentor and gain direct access to emerging talent well ahead of traditional recruitment channels — while demonstrating a genuine commitment to workforce development at a time when talent is one of the UK's most critical industrial challenges. Spaces are limited.

Become a Mentor Email ruby.fenn@iqpc.co.uk