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David Milne (technologist)

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David Milne
OBE FREng FRSE FIET
Born
Alastair David Milne

1942
Edinburgh, Scotland
NationalityScottish
Alma materBristol University
Heriot-Watt University
Scientific career
FieldsMicroelectronics
InstitutionsWolfson Microelectronics
University of Edinburgh

Alastair David Milne is a Scottish technologist and founder and former CEO of the Wolfson Microelectronics company.

Early life and education

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Milne was born in Edinburgh and attended George Watson's College.[1] He pursued higher education in physics, earning a Bachelors from Heriot-Watt University in 1966 and an MSc and then PhD from the University of Bristol in 1968.[1]

Career

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In 1970, Milne joined the newly created Wolfson Industrial Liaison Unit at the University of Edinburgh.[1] In 1973 he was promoted to director, renamed the unit as the Wolfson Microelectronics Institute and changed its focus to the design of semiconductor devices. In 1984, he co-founded the spinout company Wolfson Microelectronics which developed audio processing products for consumer electronics made by major manufacturers including Apple Inc and Samsung. The company became the first successful spin-out from a Scottish university and the second to be listed on the London Stock Exchange.[2] Milne served as chief executive officer of Wolfson Microelectronics until 2007 and as non-executive director until 2012.

Milne has been active in the promotion of science and technology. He served as chairman of the Edinburgh International Science Festival[3] between 2007 and 2022, and as trustee and chair of the James Clerk Maxwell Foundation.[4]

Awards and recognition

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In recognition of his contributions to technology and business he was awarded an OBE[5] in 1984, Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh[6] in 1991, Fellowship of the Institution of Engineering and Technology in 1992, and Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering[7] in 2002.

He was awarded the Royal Society of Edinburgh's Royal Medal[8] in 2012 and honorary degrees from the University of Bristol[1] and Heriot-Watt University[9] in 2007, and the University of Edinburgh[10] in 2008.

He has received several business awards including Scotland's Entrepreneur of the Year in 2003.[11] He was inducted into the Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame in 2024.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Honorary Graduate Professor David Milne". University of Bristol. 13 July 2007. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Scottish Engineering – Hall of Fame – Dr David Milne". Institution of Engineers in Scotland. 4 October 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  3. ^ "New appointments at the Edinburgh International Science Festival". Microelectronics International. 25. 28 December 2007. doi:10.1108/mi.2007.21825aab.006. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  4. ^ "About the James Clerk Maxwell Foundation". James Clerk Maxwell Foundation. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Queen's Birthday Honours List". The London Gazette. 16 June 1984. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  6. ^ "Dr David Milne". Royal Society of Edinburgh. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  7. ^ "Fellows Directory". Royal Academy of Engineering. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  8. ^ "RSE Royal Medal". Royal Society of Edinburgh. 24 August 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Honorary Graduates" (PDF). Heriot-Watt University. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  10. ^ "University of Edinburgh - Honorary graduates 2007/08". University of Edinburgh. 25 May 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  11. ^ "Leading entrepreneur named". BBC. 28 November 2003. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
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