Talent Leader Joins to Build Next-Generation Semiconductor Talent Pipeline as Skills Crisis Deepens
SOUTH WALES, UK. 26th September 2025 – Novomorphic, the semiconductor design house backed by Cadence Design Systems, the Welsh Government, and the CSA Catapult, today announced the appointment of Catherine Lundie as Director of People & Resources. Lundie will lead the company’s talent strategy as it builds advanced design capabilities in critical technology areas including edge AI, next-generation communications, and power electronics.
The appointment addresses a key challenge facing the UK semiconductor sector: developing the specialist skills needed for increasingly complex chip and systems design. Lundie brings over 20 years of experience in talent development, most recently spending seven years at CSA Catapult where she helped build highly successful technology talent pipelines, progressing from HR and Resourcing Adviser to Interim Director of People & Resources.
Building Tomorrow’s Semiconductor Workforce
Novomorphic’s focus on system-level integration across digital, mixed-signal, and compound semiconductor technologies requires engineers with interdisciplinary expertise – a skillset that remains scarce across the industry. Lundie’s role will be instrumental in developing these capabilities locally whilst contributing to the broader UK semiconductor talent ecosystem.
“The semiconductor industry needs people who can work across traditional boundaries,” said Lundie, who has already begun implementing Novomorphic’s people strategy. “We will be building pathways that take talented individuals from apprenticeship and graduate programmes through to senior engineering roles, ensuring they develop both deep technical expertise and the systems thinking needed for complex design challenges.”
Her approach encompasses the full talent lifecycle, from attracting experienced professionals to developing graduate and apprenticeship programmes that create clear career progression routes in semiconductor design.
Proven Track Record in Technology Talent Development
At CSA Catapult, Lundie played a pivotal role in supporting engineers across one of the UK’s most dynamic technology environments. She developed career pathways that helped people build the right skillsets to establish successful careers in compound semiconductors, a sector that has become increasingly critical to applications ranging from 5G infrastructure to electric vehicle systems.
“Lundie’s experience at CSA Catapult gives her unique insight into what makes technology talent thrive,” said Amar Abid-Ali, Chief Executive Officer of Novomorphic. “She understands both the technical challenges our engineers face and the career development they need to solve increasingly complex problems. Her appointment ensures we’re building not just technical capability, but the organisational culture that will attract and retain the best people.”
Strategic Importance of Semiconductor Skills
The UK faces growing demand for semiconductor design expertise across multiple technology areas. Recent industry analyses suggest the country needs to significantly expand its semiconductor workforce to meet demand in critical sectors including automotive electronics, communications infrastructure, AI and edge AI applications, and defence systems.
Novomorphic’s integrated approach to digital, mixed-signal, and compound semiconductor design requires engineers who can work effectively across these traditionally separate disciplines. Lundie’s programmes will focus on developing these cross-functional capabilities whilst ensuring strong foundations in core engineering principles.
Culture-Led Growth Strategy
Lundie’s appointment reflects Novomorphic’s commitment to building organisational foundations that support long-term technical excellence. Her people strategy emphasises creating an environment where engineers can focus on solving complex technical challenges whilst developing their careers in emerging technology areas.
“Great semiconductor companies are built by great teams,” noted Lundie. “My role is ensuring we have the culture, systems, and opportunities that allow talented people to do their best work whilst developing the interdisciplinary skills that tomorrow’s applications will demand.”
The approach includes coaching and mentorship programmes, technical development pathways, and partnerships with universities to create sustainable talent pipelines for the broader Welsh semiconductor ecosystem.
Catherine Lundie, Director of People & Resources, Novomorphic: “What excites me most about Novomorphic is the opportunity to build a company with people at its heart – where engineers and innovators can thrive, grow, and feel proud of the impact they’re making. By focusing on the talent pipeline, from apprentices and graduates to experienced engineers, we’re laying foundations for long-term capability in edge AI, communications, energy systems, and beyond. This is about giving people the skills and opportunities to shape technologies that matter.”
Amar Abid-Ali, Chief Executive Officer, Novomorphic: “Catherine has already made a significant impact at Novomorphic. Her passion for people development and her ability to translate strategy into practical programmes are helping us build the culture and capabilities we need from day one. She ensures that Novomorphic is not only about technical leadership, but also about developing sovereign capability through sustained investment in people and talent.”
ENDS