GaN Systems Inc, a developer of gallium nitride power switching semiconductors, has announced the appointment of Tony Astley as Director of European Operations, with immediate effect. Astley will have overall responsibility for all aspects of GaN Systems’ business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and will further develop its presence in the region, which represents about 20% of the world’s total market for power device sales.

GaN Systems’ cost-effective, high power gallium nitride transistors feature its proprietary Island Technology and overcome the limitations of today’s silicon-based semiconductors, bringing significantly better performance and efficiency to power conversion applications such as alternative energy products and electric and hybrid vehicles. EMEA is a provider of industrial and automotive technologies and Astley’s role will encompass broad-based customers across the region as well as large OEMs in the industrial, power and automotive sectors.

Girvan Patterson, CEO of GaN Systems stated: “We’re very excited to have Tony on board to drive growth in a key region. This year GaN Systems will commercialize its broad range of GaN-on-silicon products and European customers, who are long time global leaders in the industrial and automotive electronics segments, will be some of our earliest adopters.”

“GaN Systems’ technology is truly exciting and customer interest unprecedented, especially in this important region, so I’m very excited to be joining the team and look forward to continuing my passion for providing innovative solutions and breakthrough results to customers’ application challenges,” Astley said.

Astley joins GaN Systems from Texas Instruments, where he held senior positions at director level in both regional sales and sales operations. His significant career achievements include implementing customer support models in major OEMs, broadening sales channels and increasing revenue.