Oxford Quantum Circuits has added former HSBC chief government Colin Bell to its current string of appointments, with the banking veteran becoming a member of the corporate’s board.
Bell, a former British Military officer, has spent virtually 20 years as a senior government in banking and finance, having held outstanding roles at Barclays and UBS earlier than becoming a member of HSBC as its head of monetary crime danger in 2016 and finally advancing to the highest job in 2021, the place he remained till January of this yr.
Although not a sector that instantly brings to thoughts superior computing and deep tech, finance has had a surprisingly vital position within the quantum sector in recent times.
Reporting from UKTN in April discovered that in 2025, banks had been answerable for as many as one in ten quantum patent functions within the UK.
Moreover, in keeping with banking insights agency Evident AI, virtually 80% of the 50 main banks tracked by the group had been in a roundabout way concerned with quantum, which incorporates hiring roles with quantum experience, commissioning analysis, investing or making use of for patents.
There may be specific curiosity within the expertise’s potential for scaling the safety of banking programs in addition to the potential for superior modelling produced by the machines.
Recognising the rising relevance of quantum computing to banking and finance, Oxford Quantum Circuits has introduced on Bell, who can apply his intensive expertise in banking, compliance and monetary crime to the agency because it appears to safe enterprise within the sector.
Bell additionally brings with him expertise in defence via his 16 years of navy service.
“I’m delighted to welcome Colin Bell to the OQC board. He brings a uncommon mixture of management throughout world finance, defence, and operational danger – expertise that aligns immediately with our mission,” mentioned board chair Jack Boyer.
“His appointment additional strengthens the Board as we scale quantum computing in sectors the place belief, resilience, and efficiency are important to success.”
Bell has additionally held appointments from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and NATO.
“OQC stands out for its readability of imaginative and prescient in bringing quantum computing to sectors the place safety, resilience, and efficiency are important,” mentioned Bell.
“With world-class expertise and scientific depth, the corporate is uniquely positioned to guide this transformation. I’m excited to hitch the board at this pivotal second and help OQC’s subsequent section of development and world scale.”
The appointment follows a number of current senior hires to the corporate, together with Robert Coutts as CFO introduced final week, former Cupboard Workplace director Gerald Mullally as chief government in July and Boyer’s appointment in April.
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