Non Executive Directorships

Quantum Strategic Advisory Board Member – EOI

Location: Various

Date Posted: 05/02/2025

Closing Date: 24/02/2025

About the appointment

Appointment description

Over the next decade, quantum technologies promise huge benefits to society and the economy, with expected impacts across sectors from healthcare to financial services.

After ten years of investment through a first-of-its-kind national quantum programme, the UK has strong “first mover” advantage. We have world-leading research strengths across all quantum technologies and the second highest level of private investment globally. The government is now building on this success to drive economic growth and further benefits for UK society and security. Doing so will require support to take the technologies from early commercialisation to widespread adoption and unlock greater levels of private investment in line with the government’s Industrial Strategy.

The National Quantum Strategic Advisory Board (SAB) provides independent and expert technical advice to DSIT and its arm’s-length bodies on quantum technologies. Specifically, the SAB informs the strategic direction of the National Quantum Programme and the work of the DSIT Office for Quantum to enhance UK leadership in quantum technologies, including through the five quantum technology Missions. SAB members are ministerially-appointed, and the Board is Chaired by Sir Peter Knight.

DSIT is inviting Expressions of Interest (EoIs) to join the Board from experts with experience in developing, applying or investing in quantum technologies or other relevant emerging technologies. We particularly welcome EoIs from those who can advise on driving the commercialisation and scaling of these technologies.

Organisation description

The SAB captures expertise across the quantum ecosystem and adjacent areas including industry, investors and academic researchers.

The SAB has 9 members and can comprise up a maximum of 15, including:

A senior level independent Chair: Sir Peter Knight
A Deputy Chair: Professor Sheila Rowan CBE

Senior representatives drawn from business, the investor community, and academia with a spread of expertise across:
- business and investment, skills and R&D, adoption, international engagement, regulation and standards;
- a range of quantum technologies and applications, including computing, networking, position, navigation, and timing systems, and imaging and sensing.

Priority areas the Board is expected to advise on in the coming year include:

The approach to and implementation of the next phase of the national quantum programme and the quantum technology missions
Ensuring UK quantum companies have access to the investment they need to grow and develop their technology in the UK
How the UK collaborates with other countries to advance the development of quantum technologies
Considering how the UK will regulate these technologies in future and set standards to guide their development
Addressing the evolving skills needs of the quantum sector in response to findings from the Quantum Skills Taskforce
[etc]

For more information on general NQTP governance click the following link: https://uknqt.ukri.org/about-us/governance/

Person specification

Essential criteria

Your application should demonstrate the below essential criteria, with examples drawn from your career history:

Leadership or senior investment experience in quantum technologies or other relevant emerging technology fields.? [Lead criteria]

An engaging and collaborative working style with the ability to advise on strategic decision making.

Ability to build and maintain successful relationships as well as provide challenge and inspire confidence with a wide range of stakeholders.

A clear interest in the effective delivery of the UK’s national strategy for quantum technologies.

If there is a significant volume of applications, we will sift on the leading criteria as indicated above.

Desirable criteria

Expertise in relation to the priority areas of advice listed above.
Expertise in scaling up operations, particularly within emerging technology sectors.
An understanding of the investment landscape and funding routes for emerging technologies.
Previous experience as a board member or non-executive in the public or private sector.

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Other Positions Available:

Windrush Commissioner

Location: Various

Date Posted: 20/02/2025

Closing Date: 20/03/2025