Derek Boyd is chief executive officer of the UK's National Microelectronics Institute

Is it unreasonable to expect talented design engineers to be talented entrepreneurs as well?
Talented design engineers can certainly be talented entrepreneurs, but this capability isn’t a pre-requisite for a strong and vibrant industry. It’s a simple truth that it takes many engineers to deliver the business vision of a single entrepreneur. The UK needs to exploit its IP and grow companies of scale, this needs the concerted effort of engineers and entrepreneurs alike.

Is the lack of successful exploitation of UK design skills due to the fact we lack capable business people?
My view is that UK design skills are being successfully exploited. There has long been a perception that we lack world-class entrepreneurs, however home grown success stories in the fabless, EDA and VC communities for example prove otherwise. Serial entrepreneurship in the UK is on the increase and can only help to enlarge the pool of business talent.

Why are firms starting to talk of a dearth of design skills in the UK? Are they just excusing their increasing use of designers from low cost countries?
NMI research shows that the business outlook is incredibly positive right now and there are quite simply a lot of design posts to fill. The skills bar is also rising significantly, as companies seek out the very best talent in order to compete on the global stage. Smart companies will find the skills they need and won’t be hindered by geography.

Science education seems to be an increasing problem and popular culture encourages personality rather than talent as a means of making a living. What can we do and who is to blame?
We all have a certain responsibility for creating a society that recognises the true worth of demonstrating a talent in science, as it does the value of personality. Government has a crucial role to play though. Perceptions of science education need to be positive from a very early age and science-based vocations promoted from pre-school through to university.

Why is there no equivalent of IMEC, the Belgium semiconductor research organisation, in the UK?
Although IMEC has become a recognised flagship, the economic argument to justify investment on a similar scale is unclear. There is also the question of need, and it’s doubtful that the UK needs to replicate IMEC at this time. There are already many excellent facilities here and a more modest investment in a focused research programme may offer greater potential.