IQE PLC, the Cardiff-based compound semiconductor wafer manufacturer listed on AIM, has disclosed that investor Richard Griffiths crossed a major shareholding threshold on 6 November 2026, triggering a regulatory notification filed with the company and the FCA on 9 November 2026. Griffiths now holds a combined position of 5.56% of IQE's voting rights, up from a previous position of less than 3%, representing a significant increase in his exposure to the business. The disclosure, made via a TR-1 standard form, covers both direct share ownership and a cash-settled contract for difference position, and is relevant to investors monitoring the company's shareholder register.

Key Points

  • IQE PLC (IQE) — AIM-listed compound semiconductor wafer manufacturer
  • Richard Griffiths, based in St Helier, Jersey, crossed the 5% combined voting rights threshold on 6 November 2026
  • Combined position stands at 5.56%, comprising 4.01% direct shares and 1.55% through financial instruments; total voting rights of the issuer are 74,012,424
  • Investors may watch whether Griffiths continues to build or reduce his position in subsequent regulatory disclosures

Richard Griffiths Acquires 53.4 Million IQE Ordinary Shares, Crossing 4% Direct Voting Threshold

According to the TR-1 notification, Richard Griffiths holds 53,392,362 ordinary shares in IQE PLC directly, equating to 4.01% of the company's total voting rights. IQE's ordinary shares carry the ISIN code GB0009619924. This direct position alone was sufficient to push Griffiths above the 3% threshold at which UK disclosure obligations are triggered under the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules. His previous notification recorded a direct holding of less than 3%, making this a material step-up in his direct exposure to the compound semiconductor business.

Cash-Settled CFD Position Adds a Further 1.55% Voting Rights Exposure for Griffiths

Beyond his direct shareholding, Griffiths also holds a cash-settled contract for difference referencing 20,620,062 voting rights in IQE PLC, representing 1.55% of the issuer's total voting rights. This financial instrument falls under Article 13(1)(b) of Directive 2004/109/EC, categorised as a financial instrument with similar economic effect to share ownership, though it carries no physical settlement. Combined with his directly held shares, the aggregate position reaches 5.56% of IQE's 74,012,424 total voting rights, triggering the regulatory notification requirement at the 5% major holdings threshold.

IQE's Compound Semiconductor Operations Provide Context for Investor Interest

IQE PLC is a specialist manufacturer of compound semiconductor wafers, supplying advanced epitaxial materials used in wireless communications, photonics, and power electronics applications. The company operates production facilities across the UK, the United States, and Asia, serving customers in sectors including mobile devices and data infrastructure. Compound semiconductors are regarded as a strategically important technology, particularly for 5G infrastructure and photonic applications. The scale of Griffiths's accumulated position — built from below 3% to 5.56% — may attract attention from other investors monitoring institutional and significant individual shareholder activity in IQE.