FormationQ & Hartree Centre back UK quantum adoption

FormationQ and the Hartree Centre have formed a strategic partnership to support the adoption of quantum computing across industry, government and research, with a focus on the UK market.

They will work on applications for quantum computing, artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and hybrid computing across healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, logistics, energy, infrastructure and the public sector.

The partnership brings together FormationQ, which helps organisations put quantum technologies to practical use, and the Hartree Centre, part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council and UK Research and Innovation.

The work will examine how advanced computing tools can address operational and scientific problems that conventional systems alone have struggled to solve. It is also intended to help organisations move from early research and pilot projects to wider deployment.

That focus reflects a broader shift in the quantum sector, as governments, research bodies and companies try to turn years of laboratory work into commercial and public sector applications. Interest in quantum systems is growing, but many organisations still face technical, workforce and integration hurdles.

One barrier highlighted by the partners is a shortage of skilled workers. They pointed to OECD findings showing that a lack of quantum-ready talent remains a significant obstacle to adoption, with more than 40% of respondents in a 2026 policy paper identifying workforce shortages as an organisational challenge.

Skills focus

Alongside technical projects, the partnership will include skills development work with universities, researchers, students and industry partners. The aim is to strengthen the talent pipeline and broaden the number of organisations able to assess and use quantum and related computing tools.

The Hartree Centre has built its role around helping UK businesses and public sector bodies test and adopt digital technologies, including supercomputing, data science, cloud computing, quantum and AI. FormationQ focuses on creating structures and programmes that help institutions and partners apply emerging quantum systems in real-world settings.

Kate Royse, Director of the Hartree Centre, said: "The Hartree Centre works with businesses, researchers and public sector organisations to accelerate the adoption of advanced digital technologies, and quantum is a critical part of that mission. By partnering with FormationQ, we look forward to combining our track record of turning research into real-world impact with their expertise in quantum enablement, helping organisations unlock the potential of quantum computing, AI and hybrid computing to solve complex problems and strengthen UK innovation."

The alliance also reflects the growing overlap between quantum computing and more established areas such as AI and high-performance computing. Rather than treating quantum as a standalone field, many organisations are exploring hybrid models that combine different computing approaches for specific workloads.

In practice, that means companies and public bodies are more likely to test where quantum methods add value alongside classical systems, rather than replace them outright. This approach has become more common as the industry looks for realistic routes to adoption while hardware and software continue to mature.

Broader network

The new partnership builds on FormationQ's wider portfolio, which includes work with the University of Cambridge, The King's Foundation and The Jane Goodall Institute. Its broader strategy has focused on talent development, application design and coordination between institutions involved in advanced computing.

For the Hartree Centre, the agreement fits its role in linking scientific research with commercial and public sector deployment. As part of the UK's research infrastructure, it supports projects that require specialist computing expertise and access to advanced systems.

The partnership will also explore opportunities for international collaboration with governments, research organisations and industry groups. That work is expected to examine the institutional and technical arrangements needed for wider use of advanced computing technologies.

Nada Hosking, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of FormationQ, said: "The future of advanced computing will depend not only on technological breakthroughs, but on the ability of organisations to tangibly harness these technologies to support the achievement of their business objectives. The Hartree Centre has an exceptional track record of converting research into real-world use cases for their partners. Together, we have a unique opportunity to accelerate the practical adoption of quantum, AI and hybrid computing in the UK; advancing capabilities in the sectors that matter."