David MilneOBE FREng FRSE FIET | |
---|---|
Born | Alastair David Milne 1942 Edinburgh, Scotland |
Nationality | Scottish |
Alma mater | Bristol University Heriot-Watt University |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Microelectronics |
Institutions | Wolfson 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
Milne was born in Edinburgh and attended George Watson's College. 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.
Career
In 1970, Milne joined the newly created Wolfson Industrial Liaison Unit at the University of Edinburgh. 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. 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 between 2007 and 2022, and as trustee and chair of the James Clerk Maxwell Foundation.
Awards and recognition
In recognition of his contributions to technology and business he was awarded an OBE in 1984, Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1991, Fellowship of the Institution of Engineering and Technology in 1992, and Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2002.
He was awarded the Royal Society of Edinburgh's Royal Medal in 2012 and honorary degrees from the University of Bristol and Heriot-Watt University in 2007, and the University of Edinburgh in 2008.
He has received several business awards including Scotland's Entrepreneur of the Year in 2003. He was inducted into the Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame in 2024.
References
- ^ "Honorary Graduate Professor David Milne". University of Bristol. 13 July 2007. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ "Scottish Engineering – Hall of Fame – Dr David Milne". Institution of Engineers in Scotland. 4 October 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
- "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.
- "About the James Clerk Maxwell Foundation". James Clerk Maxwell Foundation. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- "Queen's Birthday Honours List". The London Gazette. 16 June 1984. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- "Dr David Milne". Royal Society of Edinburgh. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- "Fellows Directory". Royal Academy of Engineering. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- "RSE Royal Medal". Royal Society of Edinburgh. 24 August 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- "Honorary Graduates" (PDF). Heriot-Watt University. 20 September 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- "University of Edinburgh - Honorary graduates 2007/08". University of Edinburgh. 25 May 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- "Leading entrepreneur named". BBC. 28 November 2003. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- Scottish Engineering Hall of Fame inductees
- Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
- 1942 births
- Living people
- Alumni of Heriot-Watt University
- People educated at George Watson's College
- Alumni of the University of Bristol
- People associated with the University of Edinburgh
- Fellows of the Institution of Engineering and Technology
- Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering
- Scottish engineers
- Scottish scientists