Tom Carter, the founder of Bristol hand-tracking software pioneer Ultraleap, is to become its CEO next week when Steve Cliffe, who has led the firm since its launch in 2013, steps down.
Tom, pictured, right, with Steve, invented Ultraleap’s haptic technology during his studies at the University of Bristol and subsequently commercialised the product. 
Taking the role of CTO – with Steve Cliffe as CEO – he has since helped build a portfolio of more than 160 patents on the technology, being a named inventor on many of the applications.
With Steve at the helm, the firm has grown to a global team of more than 150 people, completed multiple successful funding rounds, international expansion and, two years ago, the acquisition of US firm Leap Motion.
Steve has now decided to retire to spend more time with his family but is staying on as a special advisor to continue to support Tom and the leadership team.
Steve, pictured, said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to lead Ultraleap as CEO for the past eight years, and I am very pleased with the success we have achieved.
“I have worked closely with Tom since he brought me onboard as CEO in 2013.
“This is the right time for him to step into the CEO role and I am confident that under his leadership, Ultraleap will continue to grow and prosper. 
“The decision to step aside was one of the most difficult of my career, but it is the right time for me to spend more time with my wife and family. I look forward to continue supporting Tom and the Ultraleap team in an advisory capacity.”
Ultraleap’s technology uses ultrasound to create tactile sensations in mid-air. Sound waves from a collection of small ultrasonic speakers are focused onto the user’s hands, causing the skin to vibrate and elicit the sensation of touch.
It is increasingly being adopted in augmented reality and virtual reality products as well as digital signage, kiosks, automotive, industrial automation, consumer electronics and entertainment – all major growth markets.
Tom, pictured, said “I am excited to serve as Ultraleap’s next CEO. I want to thank Steve for his outstanding leadership and mentorship. Having had the privilege of working closely with Steve over the past eight years, I have learned a tremendous amount from him and am pleased that I will continue to benefit from his guidance moving forward.
“Above all I am excited to be leading an incredible team. The opportunity ahead for Ultraleap is vast, and over the comi
“Ultraleap has a unique proposition: we are the leader in hand tracking technology and we have the world’s only mid-air haptics technology.
“As the world continues to face significant change, I am inspired by Ultraleap’s opportunity to power the user interfaces of the future.”
Ultraleap chairman Michael Tobin added: “Steve has been absolutely instrumental in making Ultraleap the great company it is today.
“He has built a great team and culture, he has overseen Ultraleap’s expansion into the US and Asia and the acquisition of Leap Motion which enhanced the company’s IP portfolio and product offering significantly.
“The board has been preparing for this handover for some time, most recently by doing an extensive succession planning exercise at the beginning of this year.
“The timing is right because the company is well financed, the leadership team is ready, and the technology is now proven and ready to scale rapidly. I am very pleased to see Tom now take on the CEO role.
“As a founder with both deep technical expertise and extensive entrepreneurial experience, he is the ideal leader to build on Steve’s great work and take the company to the next level.”
