How the NQCC is governed
The NQCC’s programme is jointly delivered and funded by two research councils within UKRI – EPSRC and STFC. We are a national laboratory within STFC’s framework and are supported by its shared business services. The Centre is headquartered within dedicated facilities forming part of the wider Rutherford Appleton Laboratory site, owned and operated by STFC, at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire.
Delivery of the NQCC’s programme is overseen by the Programme Oversight Board. The Strategic Advisory Committee provides advice, support and challenge to inform the work of the Board and the Senior Leadership Team. A Technical Advisory Group provides expertise and insights on the delivery of the NQCC’s technical roadmap.
Programme Oversignt Board
The Programme Oversight Board (POB) provides oversight of the NQCC’s programme and activities. The POB is chaired by EPSRC’s Deputy Director for Cross-Council Programmes – Derek Craig – and includes senior sponsors from EPSRC and STFC. The POB takes a strategic role in identifying and developing initiatives to aid the delivery of the NQCC’s programme. It monitors, manages, and addresses any risks or barriers that might affect progress. The POB also ensures that the NQCC programme aligns with the wider activities of the research councils and the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme. The POB typically meets once every quarter, aligned where possible to key milestones in the programme or project delivery.
Strategic Advisory Committee
The Strategic Advisory Committee (SAC) provides advice, support and challenge on the activities and programme of the NQCC. With complementary expertise across quantum technologies research, programme delivery, technical innovation, defence, cybersecurity and government, this group of external advisors offers informed opinion to the NQCC Senior Leadership Team. Meeting twice a year, the SAC ensures that the NQCC links to related activities within the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme. It helps manage any external risks that might affect the NQCC’s programme delivery, and liaises with senior sponsors and external stakeholders across academia, government and industry in an advocacy capacity.
Technical Advisory Group
The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) provides impartial expertise and insight to help shape the roadmap and delivery of the NQCC’s technical programme. With extensive experience of quantum computing technologies and adjacent fields, this group of expert advisors offers an informed and independent view on the current state of progress, both at the NQCC and globally. Chaired by the NQCC’s Chief Scientist – Elham Kashefi – the TAG works with the NQCC Senior Leadership Team to review and update the technology roadmap and the Centre’s technical programme, milestones and objectives. The TAG provides advice and challenge on technical initiatives, informs and reviews the acceptance or quality criteria for the centre’s key deliverables, and maintains the technical integrity of the NQCC’s programme and projects. The TAG meets once a year, aligned with the approval process and lifecycle of the technical programme.
