Petra Andrén named first CEO of Quantum Australia

Quantum Australia has appointed Petra Andrén as its first Chief Executive Officer.

Petra Andrén, previously the Chief Executive at Cicada, will take on her new responsibilities leading the national centre for quantum industry growth, Quantum Australia. Her experience in scaling technology ventures and accelerating innovation ecosystems is expected to contribute to the national effort to establish Australia's standing in the quantum sector.

Peter Rossdeutscher AM, Chair of the Board at Quantum Australia, commented on the appointment, stating, "We are delighted to welcome Petra Andrén as the inaugural CEO of Quantum Australia. Petra's deep commercial expertise and commitment to innovation will play a pivotal role in accelerating the growth of Australia's quantum industry. Her leadership will help us unlock new opportunities and strengthen Australia's position on the global quantum stage."

The timing of Ms Andrén's appointment aligns with significant global interest in quantum technology, which is projected to impact industries including cybersecurity, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and space exploration. Australia's credentials in quantum research and patents place it among the global leaders in this fast-developing field.

Ms Andrén expressed her aspirations for Quantum Australia, saying, "The quantum race is well and truly underway, and Australia has a unique window of opportunity to stake its claim as a global leader. With world-class research and a rapidly growing industry, we must act decisively to translate our quantum expertise into real-world impact. I'm excited to work with our partners to build a thriving quantum ecosystem that delivers economic and societal benefits for all Australians."

Her leadership credentials are reinforced by her international experience and her recognition in the innovation ecosystem sector, particularly during her tenure at Cicada Innovations, which earned accolades for its efforts in commercialising research and early-stage investment.

Quantum Australia was established with an initial federal government grant of AUD $18.4 million under the Australian Centre for Quantum Growth (ACQG) programme, supplemented by assistance from state governments and national universities. The organisation aims to expedite the development and integration of quantum technology domestically.

Ranked among the top globally for high-impact quantum research and quantum computing patents, Australia has a substantial workforce dedicated to advancing these technologies. Petra Andrén's task will be to convert this research success into tangible industry outcomes and reinforce Australia's influence on the international stage. Her tenure as CEO will begin on 1 May 2025.