Panellists

Ashley Montanaro

Co-founder and CEO of Phasecraft, and Professor of Quantum Computation at the University of Bristol.

Ashley has worked in the field of quantum computing for 20 years, specialising in quantum algorithms and quantum computational complexity, and has published over 50 papers on this topic. He holds a PhD in quantum computing from the University of Bristol and is Professor of Quantum Computation there. Ashley was awarded a Whitehead Prize in 2017 by the London Mathematical Society and was awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant in 2018. He has served on the Steering Committee of the international conference on Quantum Information Processing (QIP), was a Founding Editor of the journal Quantum, and was a cofounder of the Quantum Computing Theory in Practice conference series. Ashley cofounded Phasecraft with Toby Cubitt and John Morton to develop breakthrough quantum algorithms to get the most out of near-term quantum computers.

Elham Kashefi

Chair in Quantum Computing, University of Edinburgh Chief Scientist, National Quantum Computing Centre

Elham Kashefi is Professor of Quantum Computing at the School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh, and Directeur de recherche au CNRS at LIP6 Sorbonne Université. She co-founded the fields of quantum cloud computing and quantum computing verification and has pioneered a transdisciplinary interaction of hybrid quantum–classical solutions, from theoretical investigation to experimental and industrial commercialisation. Elham is seconded 30% of her time from the University of Edinburgh to the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), where she serves as Chief Scientist.

Jens Eisert

Professor of Theoretical Physics, Free University of Berlin

One of the most visible and creative researchers in the field of quantum computing theory, Eisert’s work is often methodologically rigorous and influenced by mathematical ideas, but at the same time pragmatically motivated and closely oriented towards applications, protocols or experiments. His work has already earned him an ERC Advanced Grant, an ERC Consolidator Grant, a EURYI Award (the predecessor of the ERC Starting Grant) and the Google NISQ Award. He is also heavily involved in outreach and communicating quantum technologies to interested audiences and industry. He works in the Dahlem Center for Complex Quantum Systems in Berlin.

Joseph Karl Doetsch

Quantum Lead, Lufthansa Industry Solutions

Head of the Quantum Computing and Optimisation Team at Lufthansa Industry Solutions. He has a background in physics and joined Lufthansa following academic roles in Switzerland, Denmark and the US. His team is exploring quantum algorithms for solving combinatorial optimisation problems in the fields of aviation and logistics.

Anke Lohman (Moderator)

Founder and Chair of Anchored In Ltd

Anke Lohmann is the Founder and Director of Anchored In, a consultancy supporting deep tech innovation and commercialisation. With over 25 years of experience across science, technology, and business strategy, she specialises in emerging technologies, including quantum technologies and advanced materials. Anke is a strategic advisor to UK and European quantum initiatives and chairs the Quantum Business Innovation and Growth Group (qBIG) at the Institute of Physics, which aims to connect industry, research, and investment to accelerate the growth of the UK quantum technology sector and drive economic, societal, and security benefits.

Matthias Zimmerman (Moderator)

Deputy Head (acting) of the Quantum Information & Communication Theory department at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR)

Head of the Quantum Simulations and Applications Group at the Institute of Quantum Technologies of the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) in Ulm. With over five years at DLR, he contributes to Germany’s national quantum computing initiative (DLR QCI), focusing on theoretical frameworks and interdisciplinary applications. He also serves as Member of the Executive Board of the German Physical Society (DPG) for Young Members and Professional Matters, where he supports early-career researchers and coordinates programmes for their professional orientation. Matthias brings a unique blend of technical expertise and public engagement to his role as co-moderator of this event.