Joost Helms, a pivotal figure in transforming the Dutch city of Eindhoven into a leading technology hub, has praised the emerging compound semiconductor cluster in South Wales for its impact on Newport. Helms visited South Wales as part of an initiative to strengthen international ties around the city's semiconductor industry, invited by Newport Council leader Dimitri Batrouni and councillor James Clarke.
Eindhoven's Brainport success story
Helms is renowned for his role in delivering Eindhoven's Brainport development, which turned the city into one of Europe's premier tech hubs, generating thousands of jobs and significant economic growth. His expertise is now being sought to help Newport replicate that success.
Newport hosts major players in the compound semiconductor cluster, including Vishay, KLA, and IQE. The cluster, spanning from early-stage academic research to commercial firms, aims to employ over 6,000 people by 2030 and generate combined revenues of £1bn.
Economic impact of CSconnected
An independent report from the Welsh Economy Research Unit (WERU) at Cardiff University shows that the cluster, known as CSconnected, directly employed 1,914 people last year, with an additional 1,226 jobs supported across Wales through indirect and induced impacts. Total Welsh employment linked to the cluster increased from 2,748 in 2024 to 3,140 last year, a 14% year-on-year rise.
The cluster also generated £267m in direct Gross Value Added (GVA), with an additional £169m supported elsewhere in Wales, bringing the total Welsh GVA impact to £436m, a 19% increase on 2024.
Newport's trajectory towards tech leadership
Councillor Dimitri Batrouni expressed his enthusiasm for the visit, stating: "It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Joost Helms to Newport. We invited him to the city and the region because of his knowledge and experience of the technological regeneration of Eindhoven. Through the city's Brainport project, it has become the premier tech capital of Europe, generating a huge number of jobs and economic wealth. I believe Newport is on the same trajectory and we must grab this opportunity, so once again Newport leads the next Industrial Revolution. For us, for our children and grandchildren."
Helms himself was impressed by what he saw, remarking: "What I found in Newport genuinely surprised me. South Wales is a well-kept secret in the global semiconductor value chain: South Wales is already recognised as one of the UK's leading semiconductor clusters. Yet internationally, its capabilities remain far less visible than those of many better-known semiconductor regions. The initiative taken by Dimitri Batrouni and James Clarke to reach out to learn from international partners is timely and can help Newport translate these strengths into greater recognition, investment and opportunity."
Learning from international success
Councillor James Clarke highlighted the importance of learning from successful models like Eindhoven's Brainport: "Learning from internationally recognised success stories such as Eindhoven's Brainport will help us better understand how we can unlock further investment, create skilled jobs and strengthen our position as a leading technology hub. We are ambitious for Newport and determined to ensure the city is at the forefront of future economic growth."
The visit underscores Newport's ambition to become a global leader in compound semiconductors, building on its existing strengths and international partnerships.
