IQE CEO Dr Drew Nelson OBE regional winner of E...

22 June 2009


Cardiff, 22nd June 2009: IQE's CEO and Group President, Dr Drew
Nelson OBE, was named a regional winner at Ernst & Young's London &
South Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards 2009, at a dinner in London
last week.

Dr Nelson co-founded IQE in 1988 and has led the Welsh semiconductor
company to become an international world leader in the supply of
epitaxial wafers for a wide range of products that enable
technologies as diverse as mobile phones, high speed optical
communications, ultra efficient solar cells and low energy lighting.

Under Dr Nelson's leadership, IQE has grown from a single
manufacturing operation in Cardiff, to its current position of six
manufacturing sites across three continents and a truly global
customer base.

Dr Nelson commented: "I am extremely honoured to have received this
award. It is encouraging to see that in these tough economic times,
the entrepreneurial spirit is not only alive and well in the UK, but
is being widely acknowledged as the key attribute for driving the
economy to prosperity in the years ahead."

Now in its 11th year in the UK, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The
Year is the world's most prestigious business award for
entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it
encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and
recognises the contribution of people who inspire others with their
vision, leadership and achievement.

As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young
Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and
leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognising them
through regional, national and global awards programs in more than
135 cities in 50 countries.

Dr Nelson was one of 23 London and South regional winners who will go
forward to a national final in October, where 53 top executives from
across the UK will compete for the title Ernst & Young Overall UK
Entrepreneur of the Year.

The awards recognise the passion and drive behind entrepreneurial
businesses across all industrial sectors.

Iain Wilkie, partner and London & South Entrepreneur Of The Year
leader at Ernst & Young, said: "The winners are all outstanding
entrepreneurs who are growing market share and succeeding despite the
worst economic conditions in living memory. These entrepreneurs and
the businesses they lead will be in the vanguard in driving our
economy out of recession."

Press: IQE plc ([phone])
Chris Meadows





Note to Editors

IQE is the leading global supplier of advanced semiconductor wafers
with products that cover a diverse range of applications, supported
by an innovative outsourced foundry services portfolio that allows
the Group to provide a 'one stop shop' for the wafer needs of the
world's leading semiconductor manufacturers.

IQE uses advanced crystal growth technology (epitaxy) to manufacture
and supply bespoke semiconductor wafers ('epi-wafers') to the major
chip manufacturing companies, who then use these wafers to make the
chips which form the key components of virtually all high technology
systems. IQE is unique in being able to supply wafers using all of
the leading crystal growth technology platforms.

IQE's products are found in many leading-edge consumer,
communication, computing and industrial applications, including a
complete range of wafer products for the wireless industry, such as
mobile handsets and wireless infrastructure, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, base
stations, GPS, and satellite communications; optical communications,
optical storage (CD, DVD), laser optical mouse, laser printers &
photocopiers, thermal imagers, leading-edge medical products,
barcode, ultra high brightness LEDs, a variety of advanced silicon
based systems and high efficiency concentrator photovoltaic (CPV)
solar cells.

The manufacturers of these chips are increasingly seeking to
outsource wafer production to specialist foundries such as IQE in
order to reduce overall wafer costs and accelerate time to market.

IQE also provides bespoke R&D services to deliver customised
materials for specific applications and offers specialist technical
staff to manufacture to specification either at its own facilities or
on the customer's own sites. The Group is also able to leverage its
global purchasing volumes to reduce the cost of raw materials. In
this way IQE's outsourced services, provide compelling benefits in
terms of flexibility and predictability of cost, thereby
significantly reducing operating risk.

IQE operates six manufacturing facilities located in Cardiff (two)
and Milton Keynes in the UK; in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and Somerset,
New Jersey in the USA; and Singapore. The Group also has 11 sales
offices located in major economic centres worldwide.


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