David Milne will describe the semiconductor industry in Scotland from its origins in the early 1970’s to the present day including of course Wolfson Microelectronics which is now Cirrus Logic. David will then consider the impact of government policy and the need for a better Scottish economic performance.
David Milne, born in Edinburgh 1942 studied Physics at Heriot Watt University before gaining a doctorate at University of Bristol in 1968. He returned to Edinburgh at the foundation of the Wolfson Microelectronics Institute at Edinburgh University where he became its director in 1974. With colleagues he led the spin out of the company Wolfson Microelectronics which gained an international reputation for mixed signal semiconductors used in a host of well-known products such as the Xbox, PlayStation, Nokia phones, iPads, iPhones, many Cameras, leading HiFi, etc. As CEO of the company until retiring in 2007 he led the highly successful floatation on the London market in 2005, reaching a $1bn valuation shortly afterwards.