Open Letter to Dr. Vince Cable

Pledge your support right now!

May 2010

With the formation of the new UK government it is imperative that we ensure the progress already made with prior governments is not only maintained but key messages driven forwards and momentum increased. With this in mind, NMI has written to Dr. Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills, on behalf of its members to formally request a meeting to discuss the ways in which the economy can maximise the potential that exists from the UK 's smart electronics systems sector*. The letter has the full backing of the NMI board of directors and is accompanied by specific support letters from industry and business leaders.

Call to Action

It is imperative the collective voice is heard and it is timely to call on all stakeholders (that's you!) to get behind the move to ensure that business, industry and society can benefit from the world-class capability that resides here. You can add your voice by explicitly pledging your support and/or offering input to the key messages you would like represented.

Your views matter

We understand that you will have many tasks competing for your time and therefore we offer you a direct channel to NMI's CEO, Derek Boyd, to get your views across. You can email Derek here to pledge your support or give specific input.

The Letter to Dr. Cable

Rt. Hon. Dr Vince Cable
Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills

Dr Cable

I am writing to you to highlight the central role that systems based on microelectronic and semiconductor technologies will play in the economic future of the UK, and am requesting an opportunity to meet with you to discuss ways that we can maximise the potential and minimise the threat that this presents.

Microelectronic and semiconductor technologies are fundamental to the electronic systems that permeate our lives today and already have a huge impact on the UK Economy.  Further miniaturisation and integration will mean that almost every UK business sector will become critically dependent on the applications of this technology. To be clear, this is the technology that will power the advances in the IT, Communications and Creative Industries but more than that; it will fuel the advances in the areas key to the UK’s industrial future and demanded by society, such as Low Carbon Transport, Smart Grid, Renewable Energy, Security and  Healthcare.

It may be a surprise to you to find that the UK can already boast World-leading capability in this area.  Today's biggest brands and signature products are exceedingly complex and depend on the specialist skills of many nations for their development and production. British System Designers, Component Suppliers and specialist Production Units are already well represented in these global endeavours. Unsung leaders of the 21C Knowledge Economy, these businesses compete globally, deliver their skills and services internationally; and significantly contribute to the UK Economy as they do so.

With a clear strategy, supported by Government, this UK strength can be developed to provide much-needed re-balancing of the economy from an over-reliance on financial services; whilst avoiding the future vulnerability from over-reliance on external supply for electronic system capabilities.

The priority of the National Microelectronic Institute (NMI) is to enable this community to thrive in the UK. We support Innovation, Technical Excellence, Skills, Trade & Investment and Representation.  We have established good working relationships with Government through BIS, TSB, EPSRC, The Carbon Trust and other relevant Agencies, where our proactive and constructive reputation is well known.

We cannot over-emphasise the importance of this capability to the UK Economy and would welcome the opportunity to work with your team to realise its potential.

Yours sincerely,

 
Derek Boyd, CEO, NMI

This open letter, initially supported by 10 of the UK's Business Leaders, will be hosted on the NMI public web-site where Executives from any UK-businesses/operations may add their endorsement.

*The Smart electronic systems sector is a term used to encompass modern electrical and electronic systems applications from components to highly complex systems. This includes research, design, technology and application using physical components, software, vitual tools, underlying materials and other elements with increasing levels of integration and complexity.