David Lacey Takes on Role as UK Honorary Consul in Penang

Dr David Lacey has been appointed the new British Honorary Consul in Penang, following the retirement of Dato’ Robert Hawkins MBE, who has held the position for two decades.

In his new role, Lacey will play a vital part in enhancing political, academic, and commercial relationships on behalf of the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur. He is expected to collaborate closely with leaders in the Penang state government and engage with the local business community. Additionally, he will undertake various consular duties, which include visiting British citizens in hospitals or prisons, assisting with arrangements in the unfortunate event of a British citizen’s death, and providing support during crises.

Strengthening Ties Between the UK and Malaysia

H.E. Ajay Sharma CMG, the British High Commissioner to Malaysia, expressed his enthusiasm regarding Lacey’s appointment. He stated that in addition to assisting British nationals in Penang, Lacey will aid the High Commission in fostering partnerships in the technology, digital, and artificial intelligence sectors as both the UK and Malaysia strive to achieve their Strategic Partnership goals.

Sharma took a moment to thank Robert Hawkins for his two decades of dedicated service to the British community in Penang and to the High Commission, recognising the significant contributions made during his tenure.

A Leader in the Semiconductor Industry

Lacey is a respected leader within the semiconductor industry, boasting extensive experience across Europe, the USA, and Malaysia. He has been instrumental in establishing research and development teams that successfully launch innovative products and technologies. His expertise extends to collaborative research and talent development, having worked with numerous universities and research institutes throughout Asia. At present, he serves as a Director at a prominent high-tech semiconductor enterprise in Penang. Furthermore, he holds the position of Chairman of the Semiconductor Fabrication Association of Malaysia (SFAM) and is a Board Member of Collaborative Research in Engineering, Science & Technology (CREST), in addition to being an advisor to the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM).

Academic Background and Personal Interests

Dr Lacey has a background in Materials Science and earned his Doctor of Philosophy (D.Phil) from the University of Sussex in the UK. In recognition of his significant contributions to Malaysia’s economic development, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in 2021. Outside of his professional pursuits, Lacey has a deep passion for classic cars from the 1960s and 70s, as well as vintage photography. Now 60 years old, he has made Penang his home since 2001.