Key headlines of the report
While awareness is high, maturity expectations are cautious:
Nearly 9 in 10 UK leaders believe developments in quantum computing could disrupt their sector within five years. However, most believe it won’t be mature enough to impact core operations until the following decade.
Barriers persist despite growing interest:
Technical complexity, integration with legacy technology, and increasingly access to talent continue to slow progress. Engagement remains uneven across sectors, with Financial Services and TMT the furthest ahead in planning and preparation.
Ecosystems matter more than ever:
62% of organisations recognise they will need partners to access quantum capability. Early ecosystem engagement is critical to building understanding, capability, and confidence.
Now is the moment for informed, proportionate action:
While some quantum impacts (e.g., breaking cryptography) may still be years away, the complexity of transition means organisations can’t afford to wait, and longer-term resilience will require developing approaches to environmental and ethical intersections.
With recently announced renewed UK government investment and continuing global momentum, considering quantum readiness is increasingly an imperative for long-term resilience. The organisations that consider the impact early, including on talent, governance, and partnerships, will be best placed to scale safely and competitively.
The report findings reflect what we’re hearing across the ecosystem: strong awareness, but a need for clearer pathways to practical adoption. At the NQCC, we’re working with industry, government and academia to accelerate readiness – supporting skills development, enabling access to emerging capabilities, and fostering collaboration across the UK ecosystem. Building capability through partnerships and early engagement will be key to turning interest into impact. Now is the time for organisations to engage, collaborate, and prepare thoughtfully for long-term, scalable quantum advantage.