SmartKem appoints new head of quality
SmartKem (Manchester, UK) has appointed Michael Hobson as its new head of quality as the company continues to make strides towards commercialising its organic thin film transistor (OTFT) technology for electronic display applications.
An objective for Hobson is to lead SmartKem in all areas of business and operational improvement as it seeks to achieve The British Standards Institute (BSI) ISO 9001 certification in 2018. The internationally recognised accreditation acknowledges best practice and is awarded to organisations which demonstrate exceptional commitment to quality through continuous improvement.
In his new role, Hobson is also responsible for SmartKem’s supply chain activities and production team and will drive the implementation of new management systems, best practice and standardisation projects.
He said: “This is an exciting, yet crucial time for SmartKem. We want to be at the forefront of our industry in both technological prowess and in the way that we achieve that position. I am looking forward to playing a key role in helping the company excel and achieve accreditations through a range of new business improvement strategies.”
Hobson joins SmartKem from Photronics Inc. With 21 years’ experience in the semiconductor industry and a further five in quality management, he has worked across multiple continents to deliver a series of successful operational and strategic business and sales programmes. This is expected to be instrumental in developing SmartKem’s quality management systems and positioning the company as a leading trusted supplier to create new business opportunities.
Steve Kelly, SmartKem CEO, added: “Michael Hobson’s appointment is central to honing every aspect of our business performance, from procedural efficiency to service and product standards. This is a critical time for our company journey and Michael’s enviable experience record in operations will be key to our efforts. We are thrilled to have him on board.’’
Caption: Michael Hobson, new head of quality at SmartKem (photo: SmartKem)