The South Wales compound semiconductor cluster is targeting employing 6,000 high-skilled staff by 2030 with companies operating in it generating combined revenues of £1bn.
The cluster, known as CS Connected, is a growing network of semiconductor industry partners including tech firms such as IQE, KLA, Microchip and Vishay Intertechnology.
The cluster’s success has been driven by deep collaboration between universities, industry, and government. Key milestones include the establishment of the Compound Semiconductor Centre, the Institute for Compound Semiconductors at Cardiff University and the Centre for Integrative Semiconductor Materials at Swansea University, and the ƵRI-funded Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult.
A major inflection point came in 2020, when CSconnected secured £43m in Strength in Places Fund (SIPF) support, formalising the cluster and embedding operational collaboration.
Since being established a decade ago the cluster has seen: £850m invested in facilities; more than £150m in collaborative research and development and supported approximately 3,000 jobs.
In the Budget the Chancellor is expected to announced a £10m funding boost to support the cluster.
Howard Rupprecht, managing director of CSconnected, said: “Ten years ago, CSconnected was a bold idea. Today, it’s a globally recognised cluster that has delivered real economic impact and put Wales on the map for advanced semiconductor technologies. But we’re not stopping here.
" Our ambition is to grow the cluster’s revenue to £1bn by 2030, increase skilled employment to 6,000 people, and ensure that value is captured across the region through well-paid jobs and a resilient supply chain. This is about building a future where Wales leads in enabling technologies for quantum, photonics, AI and beyond—and where local talent is at the heart of that success.”
Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnerships, Jack Sargeant said: “CSconnected’s tenth anniversary is a testament to government, business and university collaboration.
"Over the past decade, this cluster has attracted significant investment, created thousands of high-quality jobs, and established Wales as a global leader in compound semiconductors. As we look to the future, we continue to support this vital sector, ensuring it continues to drive economic growth and prosperity across our communities.”
To mark a decade CSconnected has launched its membership, enabling more organisations in the industry to become part of the cluster. Membership is open to organisations involved in the advanced semiconductor supply chain.
