People

Who we are

Our ambition goes beyond innovation; it demands a team that redefines technological limits and challenges the status quo. At Optalysys, we value diversity in thought, experience, and background, believing that they are key to our breakthrough moments. We tackle tough challenges with fearless determination, empowered to think big, fail if necessary, but to act decisively and embrace a willingness to learn and adapt. To support our growing team, we prioritise wellness days and flexible working arrangements, knowing that a healthy work-life balance fuels creativity and performance.

How we got here

Founded in 2013 by our CEO, Dr. Nick New, and CTO, Robert Todd, our mission has always been to revolutionise the way we approach computing. To harness the power of light to push the boundaries of programmable computing.

By 2015, our vision took a significant leap with a successful partnership with the Earlham Institute, where we developed energy-efficient and high-speed genetic search systems that demonstrated our commitment to innovation.

In 2017, we showcased our pioneering technology through collaborations with DARPA and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, highlighting our advanced light-speed processing capabilities.

Recognising the evolving landscape of data security, we shifted our focus in 2021 to Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE), exploring the transformative potential of silicon photonics and AI accelerators to safeguard information while driving progress in the field.

Meet our leadership team

Nick New

CEO

CEO and co-founder of Optalysys, since 2013. With a PhD in Optical Pattern Recognition from Cambridge, Nick has a strong foundation in optical technology. Before Optalysys, he led Cambridge Correlators, shaping their technical development and international growth. At Optalysys, Nick is pioneering advancements in silicon photonics and FHE.

Robert Todd

CTO

Robert co-founded the company in 2013. With a background in optics and engineering, Robert has a rich history of working with industry giants like Seagate, BAE, and CERN. His pragmatic approach and experience from founding an optical manufacturing company guide his work in silicon photonics and FHE, where he focuses on enhancing processing speed and accuracy.

Stuart Mellis

CFO

A seasoned CFO, Stuart drives financial performance at Optalysys. With a proven track record in advising and leading firms through change, he excels in financial strategy, control, securing financing and investment. His strategic insights help ensure sustainable growth and financial stability.

Michael Christoforou

VP Commercial

A Technology Leader with 30 years of experience in product management and consulting. Michael brings his expertise in driving commercial growth and operational excellence, having transformed divisions at Blue Prism and NetApp and led significant revenue growth at Infogain.

Robotic hand playing hopscotch on a keyboard. Artifical intelligence, text generators, ai and job issues concept. Vector illustration.

Gajinder Panesar

Chief Architect

As Chief Architect at Optalysys, Gajinder designs cutting-edge FHE solutions using Digital Electronics and Photonics. His past roles include Chief Technology Officer at UltraSoC and Architect at Picochip, with a rich history at NVIDIA and STMicroelectronics.

Andrew Sanyal

Director of Product

A technology entrepreneur with deep expertise in program management, Andrew excels in scaling high-tech startups using Agile and Six Sigma methodologies. His global experience and leadership focus on creating and delivering customer-focused solutions.

Sonal Sidpara

Head of People

Sonal brings a wealth of experience in HR across diverse sectors. She excels in managing teams and developing transformative HR strategies. At Optalysys, Sonal is dedicated to creating a dynamic work environment that fuels growth and maximises potential.

Laura Stanley

Director of Marketing

Bringing extensive experience in B2B marketing across technology and media sectors, Laura leads strategic marketing and communication at Optalysys. She drives impactful marketing initiatives, leveraging her background to shape the company’s market presence and growth.

Tim Whitfield

VP Engineering

With 30 years in the semiconductor industry, Tim develops advanced silicon solutions for FHE at Optalysys. His career highlights include 20 years at Arm, engineering leadership at Imagination Technologies, and collaborations with TSMC.

Meet our consultants and advisers

Nigel Smart

Consultant

Consulting for Optalysys, Nigel brings his depth of cryptography expertise from HP Labs, Bristol University, and KU Leuven. He is also the co-founder of Real World Crypto and Unbound Security.

Jez Goldstone

Adviser

Jez advises Optalysys with over 20 years of IT expertise across finance, manufacturing, and entertainment sectors. A seasoned cyber expert and leader, he excels in balancing business needs with security. His focus is on finding innovative solutions to complex cyber challenges and driving organisational vision.