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

Talent Foundry · 30 September 2026

Meet the Mentors

Three sessions. Three groups of mentors. In each session you can choose which expert to sit with — pull up a chair, ask the questions you actually want answered, and hear honest insight from people who've built careers across the UK microelectronics industry. Click any mentor to read their full bio.

Session 1 · 11:00 – 11:40
Mahdieh Ghoddusi
Session 1
Mahdieh Ghoddusi
Director of Delivery
UKESF
View Bio →
Dr John Robertson
Session 1
Dr John Robertson
Programme Manager
Dstl
View Bio →
Robert Atchison
Session 1
Robert Atchison
UK Managing Director
ClearSpace UK
View Bio →
Pushparaju Thangavel
Session 1
Pushparaju Thangavel
Senior Solutions Architect
AWS
View Bio →
Session 2 · 11:45 – 12:25
Karen Jane Gordon
Session 2
Dr Karen Jane Gordon
Systems Engineering People & Capability Lead
Leonardo UK
View Bio →
Jake Gilbert
Session 2
Jake Gilbert
Head of 5V Tech
5V Tech
View Bio →
Alexandra Zaayman
Session 2
Alexandra Zaayman
Engineering Leader
Volkswagen Group
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Olga Rubešová
Session 2
Olga Rubešová
Engineering Manager
Eaton
View Bio →
Session 3 · 12:30 – 13:10
Krishnapriya C.R.
Session 3
Krishnapriya C.R.
Senior Director of Engineering
Arm Ltd
View Bio →
Andrew Lord
Session 3
Andrew Lord
Senior Manager, Optics & Quantum Research
BT
View Bio →
Johan Carlsson
Session 3
Dr Johan M. Carlsson
Senior Industry Process Scientist
Dassault Systèmes
View Bio →
Trevor Bailey
Session 3
Trevor Bailey
MI Head of Semiconductor Sourcing
Nokia
View Bio →

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