Quantum computing
Connecting the underlying science with business applications. Identifying where quantum can create value, and what it takes to get there.
Research · Strategy · CommercialisationQuantum,
with perspective.
I help leaders turn quantum science into strategy, security and commercial opportunity.
Watch my interview with Hannah Fry · 2:35
science, business and policy.
EYPartner & Global Quantum Leader
HSBCFormer Group Head of Quantum Technologies
UK GovernmentQuantum Strategic Advisory Board
ClassiqBoard Observer
01 / About
The science matters.
So does what you
do with it.
I’m Phil. A quantum physicist, Partner at EY and its Global Quantum Leader.
Previously, as Group Head of Quantum Technologies at HSBC, I helped establish the bank as a recognised global leader in quantum technologies and established its multi-year quantum-safe transformation programme.
I advise the UK Government through its Quantum Strategic Advisory Board, as well as startups and regulators around the world, and serve as a Board Observer for Classiq.
Where I focus02 / Expertise
From possibility
to practical progress.
Two decades in quantum.
A perspective shaped by doing.
Quantum security
Helping leaders understand the quantum threat and the practical work of preparing organisations for a quantum-safe future.
Cybersecurity · Migration · ReadinessStrategic advice
Bringing a practitioner’s perspective to companies, investors and government. Translating technical complexity into informed decisions.
Boards · Industry · Public policy03 / Selected work
The ideas.
The work. The impact.
Selected projects from my time
leading quantum technologies at HSBC.
Bringing quantum to
bond-trading predictions.
HSBC & IBM
Up to 34%
Improvement in predicting trade fulfilment in the trial, against the classical methods tested.
Explore the case studyClose case study
The challenge
Explore whether quantum computing could improve predictions of which customer enquiries would become completed trades in the European corporate bond market.
The approach
The HSBC and IBM teams combined quantum and classical computing, using real, production-scale trading data and IBM quantum hardware.
The outcome
The experiment reported up to a 34% improvement in predicting whether a trade would be filled at a quoted price. This was a trial result against the methods tested; it was not a reported increase in trading returns. This was not a claim of quantum advantage.
Protecting tokenised gold
for the quantum era.
HSBC & Quantinuum
Quantum-safe transfers
A pilot demonstrated protection for digital gold tokens and transfers between distributed ledgers.
Explore the case studyClose case study
The challenge
Explore how tokenised assets could be protected against future quantum attacks while remaining transferable across digital platforms.
The approach
The pilot combined post-quantum cryptography and Quantinuum’s quantum randomness technology. It also tested interoperability between HSBC gold tokens, other distributed ledgers and digital wallets.
The outcome
The trial demonstrated the feasibility of applying these protections to tokenised gold in a business setting, including secure transfers across ledgers.
Quantum protection for
foreign exchange trading.
HSBC · BT · Toshiba · AWS
€30 million scenario
Quantum key distribution (QKD) protected a EUR-to-USD trading scenario in a trial using HSBC AI Markets.
Explore the case studyClose case study
The challenge
Explore how sensitive foreign exchange trading data could be protected against future quantum threats, using a business-critical application.
The approach
Our team worked with BT, Toshiba and AWS to test QKD protection for HSBC AI Markets through the London quantum-secured metro network.
The outcome
The trial demonstrated quantum protection for a €30 million EUR-to-USD trading scenario. It provided practical insight into implementation and business processes to inform future integration into trading tools.
Testing quantum-secure
banking in Singapore.
MAS · HSBC · DBS · OCBC · UOB
QKD across four banks
A shared sandbox demonstrated secure transfers of simulated financial data using quantum key distribution (QKD).
Explore the case studyClose case study
The challenge
Test how QKD could help protect sensitive financial communications and fit into banks’ existing technology environments.
The approach
HSBC joined DBS, OCBC and UOB in a proof-of-concept sandbox supported by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), using QKD infrastructure from SPTel and SpeQtral. The banks tested secure transfers with simulated financial data.
The outcome
The sandbox demonstrated QKD-protected transfers and generated practical lessons on integration, security and scalability. Testing took place outside production networks, helping the participants assess future applications and implementation requirements.
04 / Speaking
Speaking & conversations
Complex ideas.
Clear conversations.
Keynotes, panels and conversations on quantum technology and its impact on business and society.
Previous engagements include IBM, The Economist, New Scientist, BT and Quantum.Tech.
Discuss a speaking engagement Watch my interview with Hannah Fry · 2:35Selected talk topics
Quantum-safe transformation
What leaders need to do now to prepare their organisations for the quantum threat.
Quantum computing in business
Where quantum could create value, what the evidence shows and how to approach adoption.
From scientific breakthroughs to practical impact
Connecting research, strategy and delivery to turn promising ideas into real-world progress.
“As a communicator in this field, Phil is without peer.”
Practical details for event organisers
Keynotes, panels and moderated conversations for business leaders, policymakers and technical audiences. Topics can be tailored to the audience and the event.
To discuss availability, please include the event, audience, preferred topic and format, dates and location in your enquiry.
05 / Advisory
Clarity for
consequential decisions.
I help leaders understand quantum technology, assess its implications and decide where to act.
My advisory experience spans financial regulators, the World Economic Forum, startups, the UK Government and consulting firms.
Quantum strategy
Identifying opportunities and setting priorities.
Quantum-safe readiness
Understanding exposure and planning transformation.
Technology assessment
Evaluating capabilities, commercial potential and emerging developments.
06 / Recommendations
What colleagues and
industry leaders say.
Perspectives from people
I’ve worked with.
“What sets Philip apart is his exceptional ability to bridge deep technical science with enterprise strategy.”
“…someone who can create the conditions for invention inside an organisation even if it was never built for it.”
“He is a genuine visionary leader, while also being able to execute on real-world solutions.”
More recommendations
“Have loved seeing the clarity of your vision converge into breakthroughs in science, culture and tangible impact.”
“…someone who can lead large teams, navigate very complex environments, and set a vision for the future.”
“He has a rare, intuitive feel for translating highly technical concepts into accessible, engaging narratives for a mass audience.”
“His leadership empowered my team and me to pursue innovative ideas with confidence and translate them into practical solutions that delivered real-world impact.”
“Philip is one of the premier leaders in the quantum computing community.”
“That balance—rigorous science paired with genuine generosity—defined the team culture and still guides how we lead technical organizations today.”
“…putting HSBC at the forefront of quantum technology, and building such a strong foundation so the team can thrive and grow.”
“You've done a fantastic job for Quantum at HSBC and the financial services industry.”
“…you have done a great job at HSBC and beyond supporting the quantum community in finance.”
“Thank you for your exceptional insights on quantum tech, huge impact on teams and clients!”
“Your team at HSBC has been a guiding light in the pursuit of practical quantum.”
“You've been a great champion for quantum and it's been phenomenal working with you”
07 / Media
In the media.
Selected reporting, interviews
and conversations on quantum.
Featured interview
In conversation
with Hannah Fry
Bloomberg · The Future with Hannah Fry
Read The Wall Street Journal
Businesses Are Spending Big on Quantum
Read ComputingHSBC’s quantum playbook: securing data and boosting profits
More coverage 8 stories & interviews
Bloomberg News
HSBC Says Quantum Computing Trial Beat Wall Street Rivals
Financial TimesHSBC claims quantum trading breakthrough
ReutersHSBC says quantum computing trial helps bond trading
FStechInterview ·A race against time: how HSBC is preparing for the future risks and rewards of quantum computing
Infosecurity MagazineInterview ·‘Q-Day’ Countdown: HSBC Unveils Strategies to Secure Banking Systems
FinTech FuturesPodcast ·What the FinTech? | S.5 Episode 3 | Quantum computing in financial services
TechJournalHSBC quantum lead says RSA encryption may break in a decade
Computer WeeklyFunding and procurement to target UK quantum innovation
Start a conversation
Let’s talk
what’s next.
For speaking invitations, media enquiries or advisory conversations, let’s start a conversation.
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