Microchip boss wins payout after being sacked when he raised concerns the Chinese government was trying to take over his British company
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The chief executive of a leading British microchip company who was sacked after raising concerns that the Chinese government were trying to take over his company for 'nefarious' purposes has won an unfair dismissal claim. Tech industry veteran Dr Ron Black was so concerned at the potential national security risks of moving Imagination Technologies' HQ to the Far East he called in the GCHQ intelligence agency, an employment tribunal heard.
![[Dr Black is now in line for compensation after successfully suing Imagination (pictured) and its owners for unfair dismissal and whistleblowing 'detriments']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/15/93278077-14205861-Dr_Black_is_now-a-18_1734536864479.jpg)
The £400,000 a year executive warned that Chinese control of the company could be 'dangerous' and voiced fears that the firm's technology could end up being used in military weapons or for spying. After threatening to resign over his 'grave concerns', Dr Black - and his wife who was also a senior executive at the company - were fired following the intervention of two China-based bosses.
![[Foreign Affairs Select Committee chairman Tom Tugendhat previously demanded answers from Imagination Technologies over claims it has reneged on agreements with the government]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/15/27186686-14205861-Foreign_Affairs_Select_Committee_chairman_Tom_Tugendhat_has_dema-a-1_1734536689265.jpg)
Now he is in line for compensation after successfully suing Imagination and its owners for unfair dismissal and whistleblowing 'detriments'. The hearing in Watford was told the Hertfordshire company makes chips which can be used in vehicles, mobile phones, gaming and even military weapons.
![[Mr Tugendhat said a prove is needed because 'false data from Beijing is undermining our ability to respond']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/15/27186666-14205861-Mr_Tugendhat_said_a_prove_is_needed_because_false_data_from_Beij-a-2_1734536691211.jpg)
In 2017 it was bought by Canyon Bridge, a private equity fund ultimately owned by the Chinese government, in a £550 million deal. The tribunal heard that after losing Apple as a customer the firm had endured a 'disappointing period' and in January 2019 appointed Dr Black - who had a reputation as a 'turnaround man' - as CEO.
![[Former defence minister Tobias Ellwood backed the call for a probe and warned Beijing it 'must change']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/18/15/27186650-14205861-Former_defence_minister_Tobias_Ellwood_backed_the_call_for_a_pro-a-3_1734536692955.jpg)
