Wolfson appoints new CEO

UK-based chipmaker, Wolfson Microelectronics, is to appoint Motorola executive Mike Hickey as its new chief executive, the company announced today.

Wolfson’s current CEO Dave Shrigley has decided to step down at the end of this year for personal reasons, and Hickey is expected to replace him on 1st January 2009.

49 year old Hickey will takeover at a company facing a downturn in orders due to poor economic conditions around the world.

In the second quarter of this year Wolfson reported a 27% drop in net profit.

Hickey joined Motorola in 2005, and has worked in a number of positions in the group’s mobile device business, most recently vice president and general manager.

Before joining Motorola he worked at Alcatel Optronics, Digital Equipment Co. Ltd and Philips Electronics NV.

Wolfson chairman Michael Ruettgers said the company is ‘delighted’ by the new appointment.

He added that Hickey brings ‘considerable experience’ to the post.

Edinburgh-based Wolfson makes semiconductor chips for microelectronic products and mobile devices, including the Apple iPhone.