Quantum Exponential appoints former Oxford Instruments NanoScience MD as first Chief Operating and Strategy Officer

Quantum Exponential, a company focused on investing in quantum technology, has appointed former Oxford Instruments NanoScience MD Stuart Woods as Chief Operating and Strategy Officer. This non-board position has been newly created by the Company as it continues to capitalise on the investment opportunities presented by quantum sensing, quantum timing, quantum networking, and quantum computing.

Stuart has over three decades of experience and has led a number of technology companies ranging from startups to publicly traded, multi-million-pound businesses. His diverse portfolio comprises eleven disruptive technologies and includes five acquisitions. He has built, raised funds for and managed these companies by mapping their specific needs and strengths while building their teams.

Stuart’s operational, technical and managerial experience spans both size and sector and led him most recently into cryogenics for quantum computing, where he was managing director of Oxford Instruments NanoScience, part of London Stock Exchange-listed Oxford Instruments Plc, currently capitalised at c.£1.5 billion.

Here, he led a team at the forefront of the development and commercialisation of quantum computing globally, creating high performance cryogenic and cryogen-free environments for ultra-low temperature and high magnetic field applications in physics, chemistry and materials science research down to the atomic scale.

Stuart was also a member of the Management Board of Oxford Instruments plc and played a key role in the delivery of the company’s environmental strategy, focused on minimising the environmental footprint of its operations, products and services.

Stuart is currently a Business Strategy Officer on the board of Toronto-based The Quantum Insider, a leading provider of media and market intelligence on the quantum technology industry helping clients across the world understand and thrive in complex, fast-growing markets. Stuart supports The Quantum Insider on its commercial strategy which includes expanding its business verticals and advising on its product growth plans.

“I am looking forward to joining the Quantum Exponential team as we expand on the progress made to date. QE’s thorough due diligence process, the experience of the team, its commitment to technical depth and its quantum-only focus makes it a truly one-of-a-kind fund, providing investors access to usually inaccessible companies," said Stuart.

"With increasing investor awareness in quantum technologies, coupled with support from the UK Government for the quantum technology sector, an outstanding advisory board and a solid deal funnel, I am confident of exciting times ahead for Quantum Exponential and its shareholders.”

Ian Pearson, non-executive Chairman, said: “I am thrilled to be welcoming Stuart to the senior management team at Quantum Exponential in the newly created Chief Operating and Strategy Officer role. Stuart’s experience in the quantum and deep tech sectors, and his contacts of sector experts and investors alike, is second to none. It is a testament to Stuart’s belief in our long-term strategy that he joins Quantum Exponential at this important time as we look to continue building on the quality of investments made to date.

"Since listing, the team have made excellent progress while our status as a leading UK expert and pure-play quantum technology fund deepens. While we continually work to raise our profile among industry bodies and academic organisations, we have attracted a high calibre of opportunities and colleagues which we believe will, in the long term, create value for all shareholders especially as we look to launch a Quantum Exponential limited partnership venture capital fund.”