Hermann Hauser, founder of Arm: ‘Brexit is the biggest loss of sovereignty since 1066’

Hauser wants Arm to remain as the ‘Switzerland of the semiconductor industry’, able to work with anyone. Photograph: Chris Williamson/Getty Images

The story of the smartphone revolution might have been very different. Hermann Hauser was enjoying success as a computer entrepreneur in Cambridge in 1985, but his company, Acorn, needed a better chip. Hauser approached the US firm Intel to ask if he could modify one of its chips.

“Intel said get lost,” says Hauser. “Who the hell are you? They are perfect as they are.’”