Paragraf consults the Oracle to fill chairmanship role

Paragraf, the Cambridge UK leader in graphene-based transformative electronic sensors and devices, has persuaded corporate big-hitter Alistair Crawford – ex-Oracle – to join the business as chairman.

The young company wanted an experienced hand on the tiller as it bids to scale its technology portfolio and commercial reach.

Crawford’s track record is mightily impressive. He has repeatedly scaled technology businesses at a rapid rate and transformed the strategic positioning of large and successful companies. 

He has spent his entire career in the computer and high technology industry, initially in hardware and software and later in management of large consulting and systems integration businesses.

At Oracle he led a $1 billion consulting business with 6,000 staff, which doubled in size under his leadership. He was CEO of two UK-listed public companies: CMG plc, with 12,000 staff and £900m revenues, and Psion plc where he grew revenues by 50 per cent and nearly trebled profit in four years.

He said: “Paragraf has shown the practical use of graphene to deliver dramatically improved Hall effect sensors. While existing products have a limited temperature range, sensitivity, accuracy, and magnetic field range, Hall-Effect sensors from Paragraf have a range of beneficial features – including high sensitivity, lack of a planar Hall-Effect and the ability to be used in wide temperature ranges and harsh environments. 

“These and other products in the pipeline will change the financial and performance benefits in many customers’ applications and Paragraf must be ready to respond to these needs. I am looking forward to this exciting challenge.”

Crawford will be taking over from Sir Colin Humphries, who has chaired the company since its inception in late 2017. Sir Colin will take on the position of chief scientific officer where he will focus on Paragraf’s technology development.

Simon Thomas, CEO at Paragraf said: “In welcoming Alistair to lead our board, I would also like to thank Professor Sir Colin Humphreys who will step down from chairman and take the vital role of CSO, where the company can continue to benefit from his outstanding scientific knowledge and reputation.
 
“Colin has been instrumental in contributing to our pioneering work and getting Paragraf to where it is today. To build on that platform I am pleased that Alistair has joined us to drive forward the commercialisation of our products and the scaling up of our capability.”

Article originally published here.