UK Science Minister Unveils Oxford Ionics Global Headquarters

Insider Brief

• Oxford Ionics has opened a 30,000-square-foot global headquarters in Oxford, expanding its capacity for quantum computing innovation and commercialization.
• The facility, located in Oxford Technology Park, includes offices, labs, and manufacturing space for up to 150 employees, with plans for a future quantum data center.
• At the grand opening, UK Science Minister Lord Patrick Vallance emphasized the headquarters’ role in advancing the UK’s quantum sector, while Oxford Ionics showcased its Quartet quantum computer, soon to be deployed at the NQCC.

PRESS RELEASE — Oxford Ionics, a world leader in trapped-ion quantum computing, today unveiled its new 30,000 square foot global headquarters in Oxford yesterday afternoon. Lord Patrick Vallance, Minister of State for Science, Research, and Innovation officiated the event, formally cutting the ribbon alongside Oxford Ionics’ CEO Chris Ballance, and CTO Tom Harty. 

More than 100 guests attended the grand opening, including representatives from the UK’s Department of Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT), Department of Business and Trade (DBT), and National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC), as well as leading figures from across the global quantum computing ecosystem.  During the event, attendees heard remarks from both Minister Vallance and Dr Michael Cuthbert, Director of the NQCC, who shared their perspectives on the rapidly growing quantum industry and the impact of high-performing quantum computers on the UK’s economy. 

Attendees also received a tour of one of Oxford Ionics’ quantum computers, Quartet, which will be delivered to the NQCC later this month. Quartet will be deployed as part of the NQCC’s testbed programme at the Harwell campus, which has a long history of adopting the latest innovations in high-performance computing. The NQCC’s team will use Quartet to develop new quantum applications and research to supercharge high performance compute, working in tandem with government and national stakeholders. 

Located in Oxford Technology Park, the new space encompasses over 30,000 square feet of offices, labs, and manufacturing facilities – housing up to 150 employees and with the capacity to house a world leading quantum data centre as Oxford Ionics’ rapidly commercialises its technology. The location will serve as Oxford Ionics’ global headquarters, joining offices in Boulder, CO and Switzerland. 

UK Science Minister Lord Vallance commented:  “The opening of Oxford Ionics’ new headquarters represents a new chapter in the UK’s rich history of quantum computing innovation. The work happening here will support our Plan for Change, through the commercialisation of quantum computers that will create jobs and boost our economy. This facility is further evidence of the UK’s world-leading expertise in quantum, and how this is pulling investment into the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and beyond.”

Dr Chris Ballance, co-founder and CEO of Oxford Ionics, added: “This exciting milestone for Oxford Ionics is the culmination of a landmark year for us, which saw us close $20m in system sales and set world records in the three most important metrics of quantum computing performance. But we’re just getting started. This new facility will be the home to our ongoing innovation as we execute on an ambitious roadmap, and we’re excited to continue accelerating towards an era of market-catalysing quantum computing from this new location.”