RAM Innovations sees growth plans accelerated by UK Government backed project

A Flintshire-based research, development, and manufacturing firm’s growth plans have been accelerated by a project supported by UK Government funding.

RAM Innovations has strengthened its team with the appointment of Lili McDonald Mawdesley after the Bangor University student completed a successful internship.

Since the beginning of 2022, the Deeside-headquartered company’s workforce has increased by 200 per cent, and general manager Peter Green is looking to employ more than 60 people in the future.

With its client list increasing and process engineer Lili now on board full-time having concluded her 420-hour 12-week placement, the future is a positive one for RAM Innovations, a bespoke and flexible provider to the semiconductor and electronics industries, with extensive expertise in embedded die packaging.

Peter said: “When I started here there was a team of four. Quite quickly, due to hard work and a clear vision, we’ve expanded that to 12 people. 

“It’s wonderful to have been able to offer Lili a job at the end of what has been a fantastic placement. It was always a hope of mine that we would keep her with us.

“In the future, it would be great to see Lili leading the electronics side of the business as she develops with the company.

“We are looking to add more talent across the board, and the world is Lili’s oyster.”

The 21-year-old Bangor University alumni graduated with a first-class degree in electronic engineering and won the Ada Lovelace honour, which is presented to the most deserving female in the sector.

Lily, who lives in Llanfairfechan, also secured the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) prize, awarded annually to outstanding students completing an IET accredited course.

On her placement, she said: “I found it fun and interesting and the fact that I discovered employment in electrical engineering in Wales was huge for me.

“When I decided to pursue this area of work, I thought I was going to have to cross the border into England, but remaining close to home is brilliant.

“The placement was all about listening and learning, and from there I’ve built confidence in all aspects of the company’s procedures.

“Everyone I’ve worked alongside has passed on knowledge and expertise, and that was crucial to my development and enjoyment.”

Lili had her internship facilitated by the Skills and Innovation Voucher (SIV) project which offers businesses operating in Flintshire the opportunity to work together as part of the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) scheme.

Peter has also utilised the UKSPF initiative to team up with Bangor University’s experts and develop a natural non-toxic resin for microchips to be embedded in products. 

He added: “I’ve been in engineering for 30 years and I’ve worked with, on average, just one female per year.

“It’s fantastic, therefore, to be able to bring Lili into RAM Innovations with a clear pathway for her to grow.

“It has not been the case of her working on dummy kits either. She has been carrying out highly complex testing and piecing together customer products.

“We wanted to give Lili the chance to learn everything, and her enthusiastic and mature nature has been a great fit for our team.”

Councillor David Healey, Flintshire County Council cabinet member for climate change and economy, said: “Stories like Lili’s are exactly why the UKSPF scheme is so important to the region.

“Without Lili being given the chance to go to RAM Innovations on a placement, who knows whether she would now be in full-time employment as a process engineer in Wales.”

A total of 40 SIVs have been awarded to companies so far, with Bangor University business development manager Nicola Sturrs adding: “This is a great example of how valuable this scheme has been, providing opportunities that lead to employment, while giving the business fully funded support for both research and work placements.

“We are delighted the internship was a success and wish Lili and RAM Innovations the best of luck for the future.”