Two weeks that showcased quantum's momentum

7 minute read

By Cyrus Larijani, Programme Director for NPL Quantum 

Over the past two weeks, I have had the privilege of participating in a remarkable series of events, discussions and international engagements that demonstrated just how rapidly the quantum sector is evolving. 

From industry events and government discussions to international delegation visits and specialist workshops, one message has come through consistently - quantum is moving beyond promise and towards practical impact. Unlocking that impact will require more than breakthrough science. It depends on collaboration, investment, measurement, standards and evidence-based decision-making. 

The fortnight began at the Quantum and AI Tech Show, where I joined the open plenary discussion "The Quantum Race Has Started: From National Strategy to National Capability". Speaking alongside leaders from industry and government, we agreed that technical excellence alone is not enough to turn ambitious quantum strategies into economic growth and practical impact. To realise quantum’s potential, we must first understand what society needs and focus on solving genuine challenges. Metrology plays a critical role in this journey by providing the measurement science, standards and evidence needed to build confidence in emerging technologies and support informed decision-making. By giving industry the capability to generate reliable data, we help reduce barriers to adoption and ensure innovation is directed towards areas where it can deliver the greatest benefit. 

A recurring theme throughout the week was that no nation can succeed in quantum alone. While sovereign capability remains important in areas such as national security and critical infrastructure, long-term success depends upon international collaboration. At the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Quantum Opportunity 2026 event, discussions highlighted the need to balance national priorities with global partnerships. For the UK, success is not likely to come from trying to do everything ourselves, but from building on our strengths in research and innovation, leading in key areas such as standards, timing and security, and developing trusted partnerships across the global quantum ecosystem. As the technology matures, these partnerships will be critical to unlocking impact and growth. 

That spirit of global collaboration was evident throughout a series of engagements with international partners. Over the last two weeks, we have met with international partners and welcomed delegations to NPL from Japan, Korea, Switzerland, Denmark, Australia, and Canada. These meetings reinforced a shared ambition: to accelerate quantum innovation, technologies must be developed on foundations of excellence, trust and robust measurement. 

Alongside international conversations, NPL hosted part one of Defining the QuOp, a specialist quantum computing workshop delivered in collaboration with the Quantum Software Lab (QSL), the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) and the Hub for Quantum Computing via Integrated and Interconnected Implementations (QCi3 Hub). The workshop brought together perspectives from industry, academia and national laboratories to explore how the Quantum Utility Operating Point (QuOp) should be defined and measured, and how it can support the development of practical, scalable quantum computing systems. As quantum computing moves closer to commercialisation, clear definitions, robust benchmarks and meaningful performance metrics are becoming increasingly important. 

The culmination of the weeks’ activities was the Quantum Showcase, which brought together the full breadth of the UK's quantum community, from founders and researchers to investors, policymakers, engineers, students and end users. I was delighted to present NPL's take on Delivering the UK's National Quantum Strategy, highlighting our role within the wider National Quantum Technologies Programme alongside colleagues and partners from across the ecosystem. It was fantastic to see so many NPL colleagues contributing throughout the day, from engaging with visitors at the NPL and Quantum Standards Network (QSN) stands to shaping discussions on the quantum computing and women in quantum panel sessions. Together, we showcased metrology's foundational role in supporting the UK's quantum ambitions.

One of the highlights of this year's conference was Sir Peter Knight's reflection on the UK's quantum journey. 19 years ago, the idea of a national quantum programme struggled to gain support. Today, the UK is home to one of the world's most competitive and internationally respected quantum ecosystems. It was a timely reminder of how far the sector has come, and how sustained investment, collaboration and scientific ambition have helped turn research into a national strength. 

What stood out most was the growing maturity of the sector. The focus is no longer solely on what quantum technologies might achieve in the future, but on what is needed to deploy them successfully today. Across quantum computing, sensing, timing and networking, the same priorities continue to emerge: internationally recognised standards, trusted methods of testing and evaluation, and practical pathways to adoption. 

The Showcase was not the end of these engagements. It created momentum for further discussions, including a visit from Dr Sungsoo Kim, Deputy Minister of the Office of R&D Policy at Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT and representatives from KRISS, KE-QSTCC, KISTI, and K-QICO to the Institute for Quantum Standards and Technology (IQST), where discussions highlighted the strong alignment between UK and South Korean ambitions for quantum technologies, and the opportunities to draw on complementary expertise in quantum computing, sensing, communications, timing and standards. The visit, most importantly, demonstrated how lasting international partnerships can help accelerate the journey from innovation to real-world impact. 

We were also delighted to host a delegation brought together by London & Partners that explored how London's unique concentration of universities, investors, financial institutions, corporate end users and national research capabilities creates a powerful environment for the commercialisation of quantum technologies. We examined opportunities to work more closely with end users in sectors including financial services, telecoms, healthcare and advanced computing, helping to drive adoption while strengthening London's position as a gateway to the wider UK quantum ecosystem. By connecting London's strengths with national capabilities, we can attract investment, support the growth of quantum businesses, and help turn world-leading research into real-world impact. 

 

Looking back over the past two weeks, I am struck by the energy, ambition and openness of the organisations and individuals shaping the future of quantum. The UK has built a world-leading quantum ecosystem over the past decade. Maintaining that leadership requires sustained investment, international collaboration and a continued focus on trusted evidence. 

The momentum is clear. The challenge now is turning that momentum into widespread adoption and measurable impact. 

13 Nov 2026