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
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30 Sept 2026
  1. Talent Foundry Opening
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Paul Langley
    Paul Langley, EMEA Human Resources Director - Lumentum
  2. Session 1
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Mahdieh Ghoddusi
    Mahdieh Ghoddusi, Director of Delivery - UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF)
    Speaker image for Robert Atchison
    Robert Atchison, UK Managing Director - ClearspaceUK
    Speaker image for Anurag Chand
    Anurag Chand, Engineering Manager - Electronic Hardware - BAE Systems
    Speaker image for Faisal Rahhal
    Faisal Rahhal, Inverter Systems Engineer - Jaguar Land Rover
    Speaker image for Fred Gillard
    Fred Gillard, Laser Semiconductor Engineer - Lumentum
    Speaker image for Shruti Hanumanthaiah
    Shruti Hanumanthaiah, Senior Principal Systems Architect - Arm
    Speaker image for Marcus Lee
    Marcus Lee, Lead Test Engineer - Leonardo UK Ltd
  3. Session 2
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Karen Jane Gordon
    Karen Jane Gordon, Systems Engineering People and Capability Lead - Leonardo UK
    Speaker image for Olga Rubešová
    Olga Rubešová, Engineering Manager - Eaton
    Speaker image for Luke Perrins
    Luke Perrins, Senior Consultant - 5V Tech
    Speaker image for Charles Phiri
    Charles Phiri, Executive Director | SME AI/ML Innovation - JPMorganChase
    Speaker image for Murajith Muraleedharan
    Murajith Muraleedharan, Director of Portfolio Management & Digitisation Strategy - Honeywell Thermal Solutions
    Speaker image for Ian McNeil
    Ian McNeil, Electronics Discipline Team Manager - Thales UK
  4. Session 3
    Speakers
    Speaker image for Krishnapriya C.R
    Krishnapriya C.R, Senior Director of Engineering - ARM LTD.
    Speaker image for Andrew Lord
    Andrew Lord, Senior Manager, Optics & Quantum Research - BT
    Speaker image for Johan M. Carlsson
    Johan M. Carlsson, Senior Industry Process Scientist - Dassault Systemes Germany GmbH
    Speaker image for Alexandra Zaayman
    Alexandra Zaayman, Engineering Leader - Volkswagen Group
    Speaker image for Fred Gillard
    Fred Gillard, Laser Semiconductor Engineer - Lumentum
    Speaker image for Prerana Joshi
    Prerana Joshi, Research Fellow - Royal United Services Institute

Talent Foundry · 30 September 2026 · Excel London

Your Student Ticket is Free — Claim it Now

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

Claim Your Student Ticket Become a Mentor
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