Our history

The Electronics Leadership Council (ELC) was formed in October 2005 to fulfil the first recommendation of the Electronics Innovation and Growth Team's (EIGT) report of December 2004.

The EIGT was set up following an announcement by the then Minister of State for Energy, e-Commerce and Postal Services, Stephen Timms, in May 2003. Its role and responsibilities were:

• to evaluate the key factors that will impact on the electronics sector globally and identify the associated opportunities and challenges for the UK;
• to formulate a vision for the future of the electronics industry in the UK; and
• to agree a roadmap (i.e. recommendations) for industry and Government to deliver this vision.

David Kynaston, former Senior Corporate Vice President, Solectron and President of Europe (retired March 2004) and at that time Vice President Manufacturing, Intellect, chaired the EIGT. The team drew on the experience of many people from both within and outside the electronics industry.

The resulting report, Electronics 2015 – Making a Visible Difference, was launched by Lord Sainsbury in December 2004. Speaking at the launch, Lord Sainsbury said:

"Electronics is an exciting industry and the common thread running through practically every other business sector. Today's report highlights some exciting opportunities, but also some real challenges for an industry which is fragmented across all sectors. As a result, the sector's important contribution to the UK economy is often undervalued."

The EIGT identified that there was widespread agreement amongst business and key stakeholders of the need for strategic leadership around a national electronics strategy.

As a result, in July 2005 Harry Tee, Chairman of Dialight plc, was invited by the Minister of State for Industry and the Regions The Rt Hon. Alun Michael MP to head the new Electronics Leadership Council.