Convening capabilities will be critical to capitalising on the quantum opportunity
The UK is in prime position to capitalise on the opportunities presented by quantum technologies, building on the achievements of quantum researchers, a strong academic landscape and a willingness from government and industry to accelerate the adoption of quantum innovation. Quantum advances, together with their significance to society, led to 2025 being heralded as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology by the United Nations, demonstrating the promise of the technology and its potential to transform the industrial landscape.
At Digital Catapult, we enable deep tech companies to scale, and we accelerate the practical application of deep tech in industry. Our innovation and accelerator programmes have proven to be of immense value to leading businesses, demonstrating that successful capitalisation of the quantum opportunity will depend on convening capabilities in the quantum space, and facilitating opportunities for ongoing collaboration and co-creation.
Quantum progress that has paved the way for long-term success
In recent years, we have seen remarkable progress in quantum innovation. During the second part of the last century, the detailed predictions and enhanced understanding of Quantum Theory enabled technological advances, such as the transistor, superconductors, and lasers. This has transformed our world and the ability for businesses to improve their operations. In fact, only in recent years has the quantum community fully understood how to manipulate individual quantum objects to exploit quantum phenomena such as entanglement and superposition, leading to a second wave of quantum technologies.
Quantum computers with over 1,000 qubits are now available to businesses, qubit error rates are decreasing, and improved algorithms are reducing device requirements. Nonetheless, we expect it to be more than a decade until fault tolerant devices, with millions of physical qubits, can realise the full potential of quantum computing. In the meantime, we expect advances in the next three to five years to be made on niche business use cases in quantum simulation, optimisation, and machine learning.
Another area of opportunity relates to quantum sensors, such as those used for sensing magnetic fields and gravity, which are likely to be commercially available before quantum computers, with specific examples already on the market. Advantages of quantum sensors over conventional sensors include sensitivity and stability, as well as size, weight, and power. Digital Catapult has trialled pioneering new use-cases for quantum sensors including applying them for non-destructive testing by detecting hidden cracks in metal.
We have also trialled post quantum cryptography for digital identity systems and collaborated with academics and industry leaders to study the feasibility and use cases of the quantum internet. Our ongoing quantum work includes bridging the gap between academia and industry, demonstrating real-world applications of the technology, unlocking new economic opportunities, and proving what is possible through successful collaboration.
Convening capabilities to drive industrial adoption of quantum innovation
At Digital Catapult we recognise both the importance of, and the barriers to, broader industry adoption. Many businesses lack confidence to adopt and apply quantum innovation to their operations, and ongoing interventions are necessary to increase business confidence and to understand new industrial applications of the technology.
As a deep tech innovation organisation driving business value by accelerating the application of deep tech innovation, our Quantum Technology Access Programme (QTAP) raised awareness, educated end users, and fostered industry partnerships to drive the future adoption and commercialisation of quantum computing.
Our two cohorts, including BAE, Vodafone, Rolls Royce and Airbus, had the opportunity to implement real-world use cases on the ORCA PT-series quantum computer, learn from experts, and de-risk their quantum journey, boosting their confidence in the adoption of quantum solutions by 26%. The success of our work showed the value of collaboration and convening capabilities in the quantum space, and this will be key to capitalising on the quantum opportunity in the long term, particularly as we address skills shortages.
Convening capabilities to solve the skills shortage
There remain significant skills gaps in the adoption of quantum technologies, and shortfalls in organisational capabilities to integrate quantum innovations successfully. Our intervention has led to greater recognition of the need to upskill the UK’s business community. We found a lack of plans to address these challenges, which is why the opportunity to collaborate with leaders, experts, peers, and the broader quantum community continues to be of immense value to industry partners and commercial collaborators.
Digital Catapult and the Workforce Foresighting Hub, supported by the Department for Transport, released a pivotal report on the future of quantum sensing technologies in the transport sector. This study focused on equipping the workforce with the skills needed to design, develop, and implement quantum sensing technologies for enhanced positioning and monitoring of transport modes. It is only by facilitating ongoing collaboration between businesses, and linking together government, industry and academia on research and targeted interventions, that the UK can develop the necessary workforce, enabling exploitation of the quantum opportunity and driving the successful adoption of quantum innovation in the future.
As the pace of quantum innovation accelerates around the world, the UK has a unique opportunity to drive further adoption and understanding of the value of quantum technologies. Successfully building on the progress made so far will be determined by interventions and initiatives that enable collaboration and the co-creation of new solutions. This will be critical to the UK taking full advantage of the quantum opportunity and taking the lead on quantum innovation on the global stage.
Any reader interested in Digital Catapult’s quantum innovation consultancy for quantum technologies can fill out the Contact Us form here.
techUK – Unleashing UK Tech and Innovation
The UK is home to emerging technologies that have the power to revolutionise entire industries. From quantum to semiconductors; from gaming to the New Space Economy, they all have the unique opportunity to help prepare for what comes next.
techUK members lead the development of these technologies. Together we are working with Government and other stakeholders to address tech innovation priorities and build an innovation ecosystem that will benefit people, society, economy and the planet - and unleash the UK as a global leader in tech and innovation.
For more information, or to get in touch, please visit our Innovation Hub and click ‘contact us’.
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Sprint Campaigns
techUK's sprint campaigns explore how emerging and transformative technologies are developed, applied and commercialised across the UK's innovation ecosystem.
Activity includes workshops, roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, and flagship reports (setting out recommendations for Government and industry).
Each campaign runs for 4-6 months and features regular collaborations with programmes across techUK.
techUK's latest sprint campaign is on Robotic & Automation technologies. Find out how to get involved by clicking here.
Running from September to November 2023, this campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of space technologies, bring more non-space companies into the sector, and ultimately realise the benefits of the New Space Economy.
These technologies include AI, quantum, lasers, robotics & automation, advanced propulsion and materials, and semiconductors.
Activity has taken the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and a report. The report, containing member case studies and policy recommendations, was launched in March 2024 at Satellite Applications Catapult's Harwell campus.
Get in touch below to find out more about techUK's ongoing work in this area.
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Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Running from January to May 2024, this sprint campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of the technologies set to underpin the Gaming & Esports sector of the future.
These include AI, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, haptics, cloud & edge computing, semiconductors, and advanced connectivity (5/6G).
Activity took the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, and thought leadership pieces. A report featuring member case studies and policy recommendations was launched at The National Videogame Museum in November 2024.
Get in touch below to find out more about techUK's future plans in this space.
Report
Event round-ups
Insights
Get in touch
Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Running from July to December 2024, this campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of web3 and immersive technologies.
These include blockchain, smart contracts, digital assets, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, spatial computing, haptics and holograms.
Activity took the form of roundtables, workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, tech demos, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and a report (to be launched in 2025).
Get in touch below to find out more about techUK's future plans in this space.
Event round-ups
Insights
Get in touch
Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Campaign Weeks
Our annual Campaign Weeks enable techUK members to explore how the UK can lead on the development and application of emerging and transformative technologies.
Members do this by contributing blogs or vlogs, speaking at events, and highlighting examples of best practice within the UK's tech sector.
Summits
Tech and Innovation Summit 2023
Tech and Innovation Summit 2024
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Sue Daley OBE
Sue Daley OBE
Sue leads techUK's Technology and Innovation work.
This includes work programmes on cloud, data protection, data analytics, AI, digital ethics, Digital Identity and Internet of Things as well as emerging and transformative technologies and innovation policy.
In 2025, Sue was honoured with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to the Technology Industry in the New Year Honours List.
She has been recognised as one of the most influential people in UK tech by Computer Weekly's UKtech50 Longlist and in 2021 was inducted into the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame.
A key influencer in driving forward the data agenda in the UK, Sue was co-chair of the UK government's National Data Strategy Forum until July 2024. As well as being recognised in the UK's Big Data 100 and the Global Top 100 Data Visionaries for 2020 Sue has also been shortlisted for the Milton Keynes Women Leaders Awards and was a judge for the Loebner Prize in AI. In addition to being a regular industry speaker on issues including AI ethics, data protection and cyber security, Sue was recently a judge for the UK Tech 50 and is a regular judge of the annual UK Cloud Awards.
Prior to joining techUK in January 2015 Sue was responsible for Symantec's Government Relations in the UK and Ireland. She has spoken at events including the UK-China Internet Forum in Beijing, UN IGF and European RSA on issues ranging from data usage and privacy, cloud computing and online child safety. Before joining Symantec, Sue was senior policy advisor at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Sue has an BA degree on History and American Studies from Leeds University and a Masters Degree on International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Birmingham. Sue is a keen sportswoman and in 2016 achieved a lifelong ambition to swim the English Channel.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2055
- Twitter:
- @ChannelSwimSue,@ChannelSwimSue
Laura Foster
Laura Foster
Laura is techUK’s Associate Director for Technology and Innovation.
She supports the application and expansion of emerging technologies, including Quantum Computing, High-Performance Computing, AR/VR/XR and Edge technologies, across the UK. As part of this, she works alongside techUK members and UK Government to champion long-term and sustainable innovation policy that will ensure the UK is a pioneer in science and technology
Before joining techUK, Laura worked internationally as a conference researcher and producer covering enterprise adoption of emerging technologies. This included being part of the strategic team at London Tech Week.
Laura has a degree in History (BA Hons) from Durham University, focussing on regional social history. Outside of work she loves reading, travelling and supporting rugby team St. Helens, where she is from.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- www.linkedin.com/in/lauraalicefoster
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