Oxford
Quantum
Circuits

Ilana is the Founding CEO of OQC. In her role she is responsible for setting the strategy and direction of the company, defining and modelling our culture and values, building and leading OQC’s senior team, and for allocating resources to the company’s priorities.

Ultimately, Ilana makes sure that OQC remains at the forefront of the quantum revolution. Thanks to her academic background, having gained a PhD in quantum physics from Royal Holloway, University of London, where she spent most of her PhD as a student in industry at the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, she’s also providing technical input in the design of our quantum computer.

Ilana’s ambitions can be summed up in a single word that comes up a lot in a conversation with her: impact. Not just in the fledging quantum computing industry, but in the world writ. She believes in pushing the boundaries and doing things that have never been done before, thanks to quantum computing.

Ilana takes pride in breaking grounds on multiple levels: as a pioneer in quantum physics and as an executive woman in tech. When she’s not roadmapping, speaking at an event, reporting to the Board, pitching investors, hiring more ninjas or giving interviews, you might find her playing the piano, enjoying live music nights or boxing at the gym.

Andy completed a PhD in Peter Leek’s research group at the University of Oxford, largely focused on the calibration and control of their multi-coaxmon systems. As such, Andy has extensive experience in control of superconducting circuits using various microwave electronics systems.

Convinced by OQC’s unique technological approach, and inspired by the can-do and forward-thinking attitude of the team, Andy joined as OQC’s first Quantum Engineer.

His first success, in cooperation with our partners, was to develop a prototype interface allowing an open-source quantum language to execute on our prototype processors. Since then, Andy has spent much of his energy developing our software stack for a much more powerful control system; more capable, flexible and extendable than ever previously developed. Andy also works on the development of the components of a robust, integrated solution for the design and simulation of superconducting circuits.

Having joined OQC at a transition time, from a research-focused organisation to a commercially successful business, Andy enjoys getting stuck-in with the challenges facing start-ups. He has always enjoyed tinkering with software programming, which led him to write web games and build electronics from a young age. That’s why, in his own words, “this all makes helping to build the quantum computers of the future at OQC feel not at all like a chore!”

Toni, not phased by the fact the company was involved with quantum computing, joined OQC in 2018 during its initial transition to a successful company as the Executive Assistant to Dr Ilana Wisby, the CEO, as well as to the Founder and the Board. During OQC’s growth, Toni’s role has grown into a much more diverse role: thanks to her experience as an Office, HR and Estate Manager, she has helped shape and guide the operational side from two people to today.

Having grown up in South Africa, Toni moved back to the UK where she worked with a number of start-ups and HNW companies and individuals managing their day-to-day lives and businesses. When not managing Ilana’s diary, Toni has a hectic homelife including trying to manage two teenagers and an 18 month old Jack Russell / Shitzu nightmare!

Peter Oakley is a hardware design engineer with a background in PCB design and RTL firmware development. As OQC’s Lead classical hardware, Peter’s current focus is on the design and development of a novel quantum computing control system capable of multi-platform synchronisation, low latency feedback and upwards scalability. Peter is concerned with both the physical hardware and the FPGA firmware.

Prior to joining OQC, Peter worked for multi-national, blue-chip organisations including ARM, Imagination Technologies and Ensilica and has led multiple COTS products from the ground up, including an ATX motherboard and an extended temperature, rugged SATA controller.

Peter has contributed in the development of multiple large scale, SOC products including a spectrography based gas detector, fingerprint recognition system and a radar-based, MIMO system for autonomous vehicles. Peter has also designed various IP products from the ground up, including a novel, power-aware SPI controller, an I2C controller, a memory controller and a parametrically scalable IIR filter.

Peter has a range of extracurricular qualifications in FPGA design, verification and RF engineering. In his spare time, Peter enjoys rock-climbing and producing music.

Kajsa first came to Oxford for an internship at Rutherford Appleton Laboratories, where she developed a simulation tool to assist in the evaluation of a ground based laser orbital debris removal system. Once this internship was completed, her passion for cutting edge science motivated her to further her expertise in deep-tech and ultimately become a part of the OQC software team.

As a Software Engineer, Kajsa is responsible for a number of quantum and development infrastructure projects around quantum chip simulation and data management systems.

Kajsa holds an M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Lund University (Sweden) and a dual M.Sc. in Space Instrumentation and Technology from Université Paul Sabatier (France) and Luleå University of Technology (Sweden). Originally from Sweden, Kajsa loves the outdoors and takes any opportunity for alpine skiing. When there's no place to ski, she is quite content going for a hike or building a camp in some remote forest. This is fortunate as Oxfordshire doesn't have any mountains and seldom any snow.

Anne-Claire joined OQC to help us accelerate our go-to-market strategy and provide the best experience to our various stakeholders. As such, she is responsible for the commercial strategy and growth of the company through sales, partnerships management and customer success. She is also revamping our communication and marketing operations to tell the OQC story to the world. Recognising that our disruptive tech can only thrive thanks to our A-team, Anne-Claire is also championing our people and culture projects.

Prior to joining OQC, Anne-Claire was Director of Strategic Partnerships at what3words, another groundbreaking tech startup. Previously she had led the work of a United Nations’ agency on environmental and social sustainability; and helped established the corporate social responsibility program of the French national lottery. She also worked as a consultant to multiple CAC40 companies to address their technological gaps.

Anne-Claire holds a Masters degree in International Relations from La Sorbonne, Paris and a Law degree (LLB) from Rennes University (France). She also attended Harvard Extension School’s Business Communications curriculum. She’s a keen sailor and skier.

Shaun works across OQC’s quantum hardware and software divisions. He works to support and implement the company’s strategy to advance the future growth and expansion of OQC. Using his quantum knowledge, Shaun helps to install experiments and uses OQC's in-house software stack to help research and develop our unique qubit technology.

Prior to joining OQC, Shaun received no corrections on his PhD in quantum physics from Royal Holloway, University of London and, joined the National Physical
Laboratory. His work was in developing a novel near-field scanning microwave microscope designed to investigate atomic-scale defects in superconducting quantum technologies.

In the past, Shaun has also worked as a software engineer in Manchester where he received a Master's from the University of Manchester.

In his spare time, he enjoys bouldering and attending CrossFit classes.

As Senior Quantum Engineer at OQC, Connor is involved in the design, simulation, fabrication, and measurement of novel superconducting components for quantum processing. In addition, as OQC's Laboratory Manager he is responsible for the day-to-day running of the laboratory.

Prior to joining OQC, Connor worked at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) where he was the lead researcher for the Superconducting Electronics team and worked on the development of Josephson Travelling Wave Parametric Amplifiers (JTWPAs) and research into the physics of superconducting nanobridges as Josephson elements, as well as dipping his toes into quantum metrology.

Connor received his PhD in physics from Royal Holloway, University of London in 2014 for work on the detection of thermoelectric effects in superconductors using a Hybrid Quantum Interference Device (HyQUID) as the read-out detector. He also developed a novel implementation of the HyQUID for use as a latching quantum read-out.

Connor is a member of the Institute of Physics, and has held Chartered Physicist status since 2017.

Outside of the laboratory he enjoys being outdoors - particularly multi-day hiking, as well as running (extremely slowly) through forests.

Jonathan works with the Quantum Hardware team to advance OQC’s experimental efforts. Specifically, he oversees developments across the device design, fabrication, cryogenic setup, measurement and reporting.

Prior to joining OQC, Jonathan worked as a Senior Research Scientist and Measurement Fellow at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). While there, he led research on the metrology of superconducting qubits focusing on the metrology and statistics for reliable reporting of qubit parameters. Before this, Jonathan was a PDRA/Quantum Engineer at the Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology (WaCQT) at Chalmers University in Sweden where he focused on understanding decoherence in superconducting qubits and nanowire superinductors. He has also worked as a PDRA at the London Centre for Nanotechnology (LCN) at UCL, where he worked on novel focused-ion-beam techniques as a means of realising low-dissipation nanowire circuits.

In 2014, Jonathan received a PhD in Physics from Royal Holloway University of London (RHUL). For his PhD, Jonathan worked between NPL and RHUL to develop new readout methods for superconducting resonators based upon frequency-metrology techniques.

Outside of the lab, Jonathan enjoys walking his dog and homebaking.

John Dumbell has worked on a wide variety of systems from highly-scalable web applications to SAT solvers and fuzzers, but has always had a deep fascination with complicated problems. That's what encouraged him to join OQC to help build a quantum compiler and try to bring about the future just a little bit sooner.

In his off time he runs various TTRPG games and plays piano (badly, for now).

Natasha Keane joined OQC as Recruitment Administrator to help us position OQC as an employer of choice: through refined recruitment processes and best-in-class candidate experience.

Before joining OQC, Natasha spent over 6 years working in operations and administration for a specialised Technology and Engineering recruitment agency where she has been able to develop knowledge and experience across a wide range of functions.

Outside of the office, Natasha enjoys exercising at the gym, travelling and exploring new places around the world, and being a massive food lover, trying all the different cuisines that come along with this!

Chris first joined OQC as an intern in the summer of 2019, while still an undergraduate, when he worked on developing software for the simulation of quantum chips. Now, after completing his masters in theoretical physics at the University of Manchester with a year abroad at the University of California, Berkeley, he is back for more and is continuing work on chip simulation.

As a budding professional physicist Chris is excited for the opportunity to be working at the forefront of quantum computing technology and hopes to grow as a researcher along with the new and exciting industry of quantum technologies.

Originally from the Isle of Man, Chris enjoys cooking, dancing (whether he is any good at it is subjective but he definitely enjoys it) and playing the guitar. He is also an avid rock climber, adding yet another climber to the OQC team.

As a compiler engineer, Norbert is responsible for developing the compiler that will enable our cutting-edge quantum processors, and solve challenges from both the hardware and the end-users’ experience.

Prior to joining OQC Norbert worked on several integrated development environments as a software engineer, getting familiar with multiple areas of software development, like automated tests, build automation, compilers and UI.

Norbert received a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the ENS Lyon (France). Besides his professional experience, he also got involved in several research projects in academia. Most of the time, he worked closely with FPGAs, for example studying floorplanning algorithms, high level synthesis, or designing several applications.

Norbert loves to travel and visit new places, either as a vacation or for work, so moving to the UK from Romania was an exciting adventure. When he is not exploring, Norbert reads and watches movies, preferably science fiction or fantasy themed ones.

Simon takes the role as OQCs Chief Financial Officer and as well as managing the finance function he forms part of the executive team.

Simon is an experienced technology executive and a seasoned entrepreneur. Since joining a burgeoning entertainment software industry in the 90’s, Simon has founded and grown several companies to international acclaim. From raising finance, establishing international organisations (including in China) and business development, Simon has a deep understanding of the fast paced technology sector.

Having previously been recognised in the ‘Games Industry Top 30 under 30’ for three consecutive years (before getting too old!) and Young Business Person of the Year in the Oxfordshire Business Awards, Simon is excited to apply his expertise and dynamic thinking to the world of Quantum computing.

Outside of technology, Simon has a private pilots license and enjoys flying vintage aircraft, has competed in international endurance motorsport events and has finished the London and New York marathons!

Michelle joined OQC as part of the new, growing finance team, taking the role of Financial Controller.

Bringing over 20 years experience in the accounting and finance sectors, Michelle has held senior finance roles in a wide range of industries from veterinarian, events, retail and industrial supply to technology and software development.

Michelle joins OQC at an exciting phase of its development as it matures from a start-up to commercialisation. Her wide range of experience ensures that the finance team can meet the challenges that go with a new, growing tech company.

Outside of the office, Michelle loves to travel, enjoys most sports and relishes trying new challenges and activities with her family - even if she isn't that great at some of them!

As a nanofabrication engineer Narendra helps the quantum hardware team to develop a fully scalable quantum processor. He is involved in chip design, process development, and nanofabrication of OQC’s unique superconducting qubits, the coxamon.

Narendra completed his PhD in physics from Temple University Philadelphia, USA where he focused on the development of superconductingTHz receivers for NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Before joining OQC, Narendra was a post-doctoral research fellow at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden where he developed novel MgB2 superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors. His interests include superconducting quantum technology, quantum education outreach activities for underrepresented communities in science.

Originally from the foothills of the Himalayas, Narendra loves trekking, and he reads books and writes poems in his native language.

As Nanofabrication Engineer at OQC, Yashwanth is a part of the Quantum Hardware team focused on facilitating the development of OQC’s quantum processor. He is involved in chip design, fabrication and characterisation of superconducting qubits for quantum computing.

Prior to joining OQC, Yashwanth received his PhD in Electrical Engineering from University of Leuven and IMEC in Belgium, where he worked on the development of 2D materials based tunnelling transistors for future electronic applications. He specialises in evaluating device performance and integration of novel materials for future CMOS technology. His current research interests include Quantum based Semiconductor and Superconductor technologies.

Outside of the office, Yashwanth plays the keyboard and composes music in Indian and contemporary genres. He also enjoys going to the gym and loves spending his off-days doing long hikes.

Brian is an engineer that specializes in quantum hardware development with 10 years of quantum tech experience. At OQC, Brian is a part of the quantum engineering team developing commercial-grade quantum processors.

Originally from the United States, Brian moved to the UK in 2017 where he has served as a Marie Curie research fellow at the University of Oxford focusing in superconducting quantum circuits. Previously a research staff scientist for IBM, Brian helped develop their large-scale quantum computing platform. He was also a part of the founding team for the ‘IBM Quantum Experience’, the first publicly-accessible quantum computer.

Brian received his PhD in experimental physics at Yale University with work that showed the largest ‘Schrodinger cat states’ to date using microwave photons. Since moving to the UK, Brian has enjoyed running (slowly) through the muddy trails along the Thames and is a self-proclaimed transit nerd.

Jim joins OQC as VP of Technology, responsible for our overall technology strategy and delivery as well as being a member of the executive team.

Jim has 20 years of experience in technology, product development and strategy roles, working in both start-up companies and most recently as Innovation Director at Hitachi where he focussed on identifying and growing new hi-tech businesses in the areas of transport and sustainability. A passionate believer in the potential for technology to improve society, Jim also co-founded a university spin-out company in 2008 which aimed to utilise machine learning to drive down energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Jim joins OQC excited about the wide ranging technical challenges and also the huge impact that the technology can have on a wide range of society’s problems. Jim holds an engineering degree from Oxford University and is a chartered engineer.

Outside of work he is a keen musician, enjoys a wide range of sports (in an overly competitive way) and teaches his daughter the importance of proper structural integrity in her Lego building.

Ailsa completed her PhD in quantum systems engineering at Imperial College London in January 2021. Her research project, developing electron spin resonance techniques using superconducting resonators, was carried out in the Solid State Quantum Tech group at the National Physical Laboratory.

From there she joined OQC as a quantum engineer, working in the quantum hardware team to run qubit measurements and develop our unique superconducting qubit technology.

Richard completed hid PhD at the University of Southampton, in the area of cryogenic nuclear magnetic resonance and superconductivity, specifically studying the physics of type-II superconductors. His PhD group also developed RF pulse sequences for control of ensemble nuclear spin-systems. This combination allowed Rich to develop experience in both low temperature experimental physics, as well as optimising the control of qubit-like nuclear spin systems through recoupling/decoupling methodologies. He also designed and tested new pulse sequences for the control of these qubit-like systems for optimal signal intensity.

He then went onto a postdoc at UC Berkeley, working on methodologies for nuclear spin hyperpolarisation. During this time he gained skills in instrument control and anticrossing physics between nuclear and electron spins. His postdoc in Berkeley included engineering of RF transmission lines and significant amounts of RF pulse engineering using AWGs. During this time he also worked on his own python framework to simulate the quantum mechanics of nuclear-electron spin interactions.

Then slightly shifting fields, he did another postdoc at the University of Cologne in the area of cQED on topological insulators towards Majorana quantum computing. Rich began at the start of a new venture into cQED in this lab, so had significant exposure to RF engineering for Transmon qubits from the ground up. He also worked heavily on design, simulation, fabrication and measurement of various iterations of superconducting CPW resonators. This included DC/RF hybrid devices as well as high magnetic field compatible designs. Throughout this experience he developed his own python package for mask generation of superconducting CPW designs with Andreev qubits.

In his spare time Richard is bouldering, multi-day hiking or reading.

Richard is Lead Project Manager steering the delivery of OQC projects to the correct quality, on time and within budget to the satisfaction of all of our stakeholders.

Richard is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer and has a wealth of experience delivering complex projects into production from small teams to large scale assembly lines at various international locations. In addition, he has worked within the areas of Supplier Quality, Lean Manufacturing and Manufacturing Engineering. He was elected a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in 2013.

Richard enjoys an active family life, as well as running, hiking and caring for his beloved Land Rover Defender. Also enjoying watching Rugby and Motorsport with friends when time permits.

On 18 October 2020, our beloved colleague Phil Smith passed away.

This is an unexpected and incommensurate loss. We miss him, his kindness, his wit and his work ethics deeply, and he will be forever remembered.

Phil had joined OQC in July 2018, when it was only three of us. Phil was more than just OQC’s VP Software; he was an incredible team leader, mentor and friend. He was immensely proud of his team and work at OQC, and we will endeavour to make Phil proud in everything we do.

To celebrate his achievements and honour his memory we are supporting Phil’s chosen charities: the Brompton Fountain and Julia’s House, dedicated to the well being of children and their families.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/philrsmith
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/philrsmith2

Peter is a world-leading research group leader with nearly 15 years of experience in superconducting quantum circuit research. He has trained in the field with the best in the world, and has a track record of high-impact and creative research.

Peter’s move to Oxford in 2012 was a boost to the UK quantum circuits scene, and he has grown his group to be globally recognised. He now heads the UK’s Superconducting Quantum Computing development at the Leek Lab. There he developed OQC’s core IP - the Coaxmon - a quantum bit (qubit) developed from first principles with commercial scalability in mind and liberated from the constraints of 2D technology.

Peter has won over £3M in research council funding for his group and is the lead academic in the UK’s national quantum computing research hub. He continues to play a prominent role in the national programme as it transitions to its next phase.

Andrew is chairman of Oxford Quantum Circuits Ltd. He is also chairman of Sphere Fluidics Ltd, a biotechnology company whose analytical tools help to transform the search for new medicines. He is on the board of Ploughshare Innovations, a subsidiary of the Ministry of Defence which commercialises MOD research for international and non-military markets. He is the external expert lead on a central government project to transform the wider exploitation of government knowledge assets.

Andrew has over 30 years of commercial and general management experience in publicly and privately owned high-technology businesses. He was the founding chief executive of the Royal Society Enterprise Fund, a unique early-stage investment fund set up by the Royal Society to back ‘deep science’ businesses. Prior to that he was for 9 years CEO of Oxford Instruments plc, one of the UK’s leading technology companies.

Andrew has a PhD in physics from the University of Cambridge and is a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and of Hughes Hall, Cambridge. He has held non-executive director roles with several companies and served on national and regional committees concerned with technical innovation and competitiveness. He speaks fluent French and conversational Japanese.