'Tremendously exciting': Yorkshire firm with 'potential to transform future of AI' hires ex-Intel executive as CEO

The firm’s technology integrates data movement and processing on a single chip, with the company saying it “delivers the immense computational power required for today’s workloads and next-generation AI and cloud infrastructure, acting as a core enabler of scalable AI, secure computing and sustainable infrastructure”.

A company spokesperson said: “Based in Santa Clara, Mr Walker will lead the company’s next phase of commercial growth and international expansion.

"Co-founder and current CEO Dr Nick New will transition to the role of Chief Product Officer, where he will continue to play a pivotal role in developing Optalysys’ photonics technology and building the US team.

“Chris Walker brings over three decades of semiconductor, AI and investment experience. The majority of his career was spent at Intel, culminating in his role as Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the Mobile Client Platforms Group. After Intel, Walker joined Cerberus Capital Management, advising technology-focused investment funds on strategy, operations and growth. Most recently, Walker was the CEO of Untether AI, where he successfully brought innovative, energy-efficient at-memory compute to market, leading to the strategic agreement and team acquisition by Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).

"With a proven track record of executive leadership, Walker will accelerate Optalysys’ technological deployment and commercial growth, expand Optalysys’s US team and strengthen its ties to Silicon Valley’s technology and investment networks. While Walker will be based in Santa Clara, Optalysys will continue to grow its established sites in Leeds and Bristol.”

It follows a £23m funding round in January which was supported by Northern Gritstone, Lingotto Horizon, imec.xpand and the UK government’s National Security Strategic Investment Fund.

Mr Walker said: “The demand for AI infrastructure is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, creating a significant opportunity for new computing architectures. Breaking the electron wall, Optalysys has developed a compelling photonics platform enabling compute in data transport that addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing the future of AI and high-performance computing.

"I am excited to join the team at this pivotal stage in the company’s growth and look forward to working with our customers, partners and investors to accelerate the commercial adoption of this technology globally.”

Nick New, former CEO and now Chief Product Officer at Optalysys, added: “I’m immensely proud of what we have built at Optalysys since co-founding the company and of the team that has helped us get to where we are today.

"As we enter our next phase of growth and commercial expansion, now is the right time to bring in a leader with Chris’s experience and global network. Photonics is increasingly being recognised for its potential to transform the future of AI and high-performance computing, and Chris is exceptionally well placed to help Optalysys capitalise on that opportunity. This is a tremendously exciting point for the company and I am looking forward to working closely with Chris as we continue to scale the business and advance our technology.”

Duncan Johnson, CEO of Northern Gritstone, says: “As a company rooted in the North of England but global in its ambition, Chris Walker’s commercial experience and appointment as CEO comes at a very exciting point in Optalysys’ international growth trajectory.

"Nick New has successfully led this innovative photonic computing company through its initial commercial development and fundraising. His move to Chief Product Officer will help ensure product-market fit at a time when AI is moving at pace.”