The chief executive and co-founder of IQE, an advanced semiconductor wafer products for the global semiconductor industry which has a base in Newport, has been awarded an Institute of Physics Gold Medal and made a Fellow of the Institute of Physics.

IQE's president and CEO Dr Drew Nelson OBE was awarded the Institute of Physics prestigious 'Katharine Burr Blodgett' Gold Medal as well as being made a Fellow of the Institute of Physics.

The Katharine Burr Blodgett Medal is awarded for contributions to the application of physics in an industrial or commercial context.

The award was made to Dr Nelson for "pioneering efforts in commercialising compound semiconductor materials and promoting the UK as the global leader in this field".

Jonathan Flint, Institute of Physics President, said: "Congratulations to all the winners of this year's IOP Awards, which recognise and reward excellence in individuals and teams and their contribution to physics. We're delighted to celebrate the winners' extraordinary achievements."

Dr Drew Nelson, CEO and founder of IQE, said: "This award is a huge honour, and I am delighted to have been made a Fellow of the esteemed Institute of Physics. I am extremely proud of the track record we have built at IQE and the leadership position we have developed in the global compound semiconductor industry.

"However, I recognise that none of this would be possible without the support of my colleagues at IQE and I remain extremely grateful for their ongoing commitment and dedication."

Dr Nelson intends to donate his prize award of £1,000 to a local charity supporting people from underprivileged backgrounds to go through university.