Optalysys, a Leeds-based photonic computing company using silicon photonics to redefine high‑performance computing, has appointed Chris Walker as CEO.
Based in Santa Clara, Walker will lead the company’s next phase of commercial growth and international expansion. Co-founder and current CEO Dr Nick New will transition to the role of chief product officer, where he will continue to play a pivotal role in developing Optalysys’ photonics technology and building the US team.
Walker brings over three decades of semiconductor, AI and investment experience. The majority of his career was spent at Intel, culminating in his role as corporate vice president and general manager of the Mobile Client Platforms Group.
After Intel, Walker joined Cerberus Capital Management, advising technology-focused investment funds on strategy, operations and growth. Most recently, Walker was the CEO of Untether AI, where he successfully brought innovative, energy-efficient at-memory compute to market, leading to the strategic agreement and team acquisition by Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).
While Walker will be based in Santa Clara, Optalysys will continue to grow its established sites in Leeds and Bristol.
In January 2026, Optalysys announced its £23m Series A2 round, supported by Northern Gritstone, Lingotto Horizon, imec.xpand and the UK government’s National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF).
The company is delivering its first photonics system to one of its key partners in the US in the coming weeks. The system consists of the latest Optalysys photonics chip modules and allows large enterprise workflows to leverage its proprietary photonics technology and perform critical computational tasks while demonstrating AI and secure computing methods.
“I’m immensely proud of what we have built at Optalysys since co-founding the company and of the team that has helped us get to where we are today,” said New.
“As we enter our next phase of growth and commercial expansion, now is the right time to bring in a leader with Chris’s experience and global network. Photonics is increasingly being recognised for its potential to transform the future of AI and high-performance computing, and Chris is exceptionally well placed to help Optalysys capitalise on that opportunity.
“This is a tremendously exciting point for the company and I am looking forward to working closely with Chris as we continue to scale the business and advance our technology.”
Walker said: “The demand for AI infrastructure is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, creating a significant opportunity for new computing architectures. Breaking the electron wall, Optalysys has developed a compelling photonics platform enabling compute in data transport that addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing the future of AI and high-performance computing.
“I am excited to join the team at this pivotal stage in the company’s growth and look forward to working with our customers, partners and investors to accelerate the commercial adoption of this technology globally.”
Duncan Johnson, CEO of Northern Gritstone, said: “As a company rooted in the North of England but global in its ambition, Chris Walker’s commercial experience and appointment as CEO comes at a very exciting point in Optalysys’ international growth trajectory. Nick New has successfully led this innovative photonic computing company through its initial commercial development and fundraising. His move to chief product officer will help ensure product-market fit at a time when AI is moving at pace.”