Former Motorola boss Sanjay Jha named new GlobalFoundries chief

Replaces Ajit Manocha who will subsequently act as an adviser to Atic.

GlobalFoundries, the semiconductor manufacturer, has hired the former Motorola boss Sanjay Jha as its new chief executive.

The unit of Mubadala Development’s Advanced Technology Investment Company (Atic) announced on Monday that Mr Jha would take over from Ajit Manocha, who has served in the role since 2011.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead a company with such a strong track record in an industry that I know and love,” said Mr Jha in a statement.

“I look forward to working closely with Ajit during the transition and with a very talented global team to continue to make our customers successful.”

Mr Jha is credited with Motorola’s reorganisation into two separate companies – Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions – in 2011, and helping to negotiate Google’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility which was completed the following year.

He previously served as the chief operating officer of chipmaking giant Qualcomm.

Mr Manocha will work with Mr Jha in his transition into the role, and will subsequently act as an adviser to Atic, a role he occupied prior to his term as the chief executive.

“Sanjay is one of the most respected leaders in the technology industry and has a proven track record of consistently delivering shareholder value,” said Ibrahim Ajami, Atic’s chief executive and the vice chairman of GlobalFoundries’ board.

“His industry background and experience as a foundry customer will position GlobalFoundries for continued growth.”

Foremost among Mr Jha’s tasks will be the supervision of the company’s expansion and further development of its fabrication plant in New York state.

The plant commenced operations in 2012.

Mr Ajami told Reuters last week that Atic plans to spend up to $10 billion on the plant’s development over the next two years. He also stressed Atic’s commitment to further investment in its manufacturing facilities in Singapore and Germany, declining to give further details.

GlobalFoundries is the world’s second largest foundry after Taiwan’s TSMC.

The company began life as the manufacturing arm of chipmaker AMD, before being spun off as a seperate entity in 2009. AMD fully exited the venture in 2012, leaving Atic as the sole shareholder.