The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Photonics will host the second showcase of UK Photonics in Westminster on 3 July 2019. A unique opportunity for Parliamentarians to see UK made photonics and further understand the critical role it plays in all vertical markets from healthcare to manufacturing and communications as well as gain insights in future…
UK photonics output reaches £13.5 billion according to the latest update from the PLG. The industry now contributes £5.3 billion of gross added value to the UK economy annually and employs 69,000 people in the UK at a productivity of £76,400 per employee, significantly above the UK average of £67,000 per manufacturing employee
The UK photonics industry is now equivalent in size to the UK pharmaceutical, fintech or space industries in the UK. The continued growth of UK photonics reflects the critical role that light plays in current and next-generation products and manufacturing.
…In the keynote talk at London tech week, Secretary of State for International Trade, Dr Liam Fox, MP announced that Photonics and Microelectronics would be added to the Department of International Trade (DIT) High Priority Investment Opportunity (HPO) programme to support further investment in the UK. With special focus on the South Eest region the…
Dr Chris Dorman, PLG chair and Vice president Coherent Scotland was recognised in the Queens Birthday Honours list with an OBE for services to Laser and Photonic Technology and to Exports. Congratulations to Chris for many years of dedication to growing Coherent’s manufacturing in the UK and raising the profile of UK photonics as a…
The latest £4.5million competition from the future aviation security solutions programme seeks novel solutions that can enhance security at airports, the border and other screening locations strengthening the detection of dangerous, illicit and contraband items. Innovations should address at least one of 5 defined challenges Improving the screening process for passengers, staff and their belongings…
£2 million will be available through the Defence and Security Accelerator for innovative Space ideas. Photonics is a key space technology with many leading UK innovators with sensing and free space optical communications particularly relevant to this call. The aim of this competition is to develop science and technology (S&T) solutions that address four challenges:…
The Photonics Leadership Group congratulates photonics companies who have won the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2019 including:- Yelo, Carrickfergus. The globally leading manufacturer of Photonics burn-in and life test systems, Yelo wins the Queen’s Award for International Trade for Outstanding Short Term Growth in overseas sales over the last three years. Optos, Dunfermline.…
The Photonics Leadership Group joins the whole photonics community in celebrating the silver anniversary of the Scottish Optoelectroincs Association. The Scottish Optoelectronics Association is one of the oldest photonics networks in the world, raising awareness of photonics and bringing local stakeholders together. Scotland remains a vibrant cluster of photonics manufacturing and reseach in the UK…
Chris Dorman (Coherent, Scotland) – PLG Chair John Parsons (Thales UK) – PLG Vice-Chair Anke Lohmann (Anchored In) – PLG Treasurer The new appointments were confirmed by member vote at the PLG meeting on 27 February. The roles of Vice-Chair and Treasurer have been newly created in 2019 in response to our growing reputation and…
A new EUREKA competition for advanced photonics manufacturing projects opened 25 March 2019. Briefing events in London, Edinburgh, St. Asaph and Cardiff. Closing date for submissions 25 July 2019. Project should address advanced or industrial manufacturing i.e. the use and/or integration of innovative technology to improve products or processes. Total eligible projects cost between €750,000…
