Optalysys, a company specializing in photonic computing through the use of silicon photonics, has announced the appointment of Chris Walker as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Based in Santa Clara, Walker will guide the company through its upcoming phase of commercial and international growth. Dr. Nick New, the company's co-founder and former CEO, will transition to the position of Chief Product Officer, where he will continue to contribute to Optalysys's technological advancements and the development of its U.S. team.
Industry Expertise and Leadership
Chris Walker brings over thirty years of experience in the semiconductor and AI sectors, with a significant portion of his career spent at Intel. His tenure culminated in the role of Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the Mobile Client Platforms Group.
Following his time at Intel, Walker served at Cerberus Capital Management, where he advised on technology-focused investment strategies. More recently, he was the CEO of Untether AI, successfully introducing energy-efficient at-memory compute technologies, resulting in a strategic acquisition by Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).
Expansion and Technological Development
Optalysys is preparing to deliver its first photonics system to a key partner in the U.S
In his new role, Walker aims to propel the technological deployment and commercial growth of Optalysys, enhance its U.S. team, and solidify connections with Silicon Valley's tech and investment sectors. Although Walker will be stationed in Santa Clara, the company plans to expand its well-established locations in Leeds and Bristol.
This leadership change follows a dynamic year for Optalysys, characterized by increased customer engagement, international growth, and significant breakthroughs in photonic computing. The announcement comes after the company secured a £23M Series A2 round in January 2026, supported by Northern Gritstone, Lingotto Horizon, imec.xpand, and the UK's National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF).
Optalysys is preparing to deliver its first photonics system to a key partner in the U.S. The system, utilizing Optalysys's latest photonics chip modules, is designed to perform critical computational tasks for large enterprise workflows, showcasing the company's proprietary photonics technology and AI capabilities.
Comments from Key Stakeholders
Nick New, former CEO and now Chief Product Officer at Optalysys, expressed pride in the company's achievements and emphasized the potential for photonics to revolutionize AI and high-performance computing. "Photonics is increasingly being recognized for its potential to transform the future of AI and high-performance computing," New stated.
Chris Walker, newly appointed CEO of Optalysys, highlighted the growing demand for AI infrastructure and the company’s innovative photonics platform. He stated, "Breaking the electron wall, Optalysys has developed a compelling photonics platform enabling compute in data transport." Duncan Johnson, CEO of Northern Gritstone, noted the significance of Walker's appointment at this crucial juncture of Optalysys's global expansion. He remarked on Nick New's successful leadership through the company's initial growth and development phases.
Optalysys, a photonic computing company using silicon photonics to redefine high performance computing, has appointed Chris Walker as Chief Executive Officer. 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.
Chris 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.
Technology-focused investment funds
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).
With a proven track record of executive leadership, Walker will accelerate Optalysys’ technological deployment and commercial growth, expand Optalysys’s US team and strengthen its ties to Silicon Valley’s technology and investment networks. While Walker will be based in Santa Clara, Optalysys will continue to grow its established sites in Leeds and Bristol.
Major technological breakthroughs
The appointment follows a strong year for Optalysys, marked by customer acceleration, international expansion and major technological breakthroughs in photonic computing. 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.
High-performance computing
Nick New, former CEO and now Chief Product Officer at Optalysys, says: “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. 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 recognized for its potential to transform the future of AI and high-performance computing, and Chris is exceptionally well placed to help Optalysys capitalize 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.”
Initial commercial development
Chris Walker, CEO of Optalysys, says: “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, says: “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.”
