NatWest signs up to quantum trial for fraud detection

Eleven organisations, including NatWest, have joined Digital Catapult’s Quantum Technology Access Programme (QTAP), delivered in collaboration with the National Quantum Computing Centre’s (NQCC) SparQ programme. 

QTAP provides UK-based companies with a guided pathway to understand quantum technologies, assess their sector-specific value and move from concept to practical application through expert guidance and experimentation. This latest cohort of businesses are focusing on combinatorial optimisation and quantum machine learning.

Simon Plant, deputy director for innovation at NQCC, said: “Through SparQ, we’re helping organisations move towards practical exploration of quantum computing. This cohort demonstrates growing confidence in quantum computing across UK industry, building the expertise, evidence and partnerships needed to accelerate responsible adoption and strengthen the UK’s quantum capabilities.”

Digital Catapult said the focus on financial services reflects growing demand for quantum innovation and its role in building the UK’s sovereign capability while identifying new practical use cases for the technology. 

NatWest plans to explore how quantum can be deployed to help detect fraud and illicit activity across large transaction networks, while CTA Fintech Solutions is assessing the use of quantum technologies for cross-system optimisation of legacy-to-cloud transaction flows to improve cost efficiency and strengthen resilience in highly regulated environments.

Other firms participating in the QTAP programme include the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), and Health Innovation North West Coast, part of the UK’s Health Innovation Network. 
 
In healthcare, through QTAP, quantum computing is being used to improve diagnostic modelling, treatment pathways and outcome forecasting for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a rare and life-threatening blood disorder considered a medical emergency. Through its participation, Health Innovation North West Coast aims to improve health and care outcomes for patients with TTP, supported by innovation and technology consultancy and access to ORCA Computing’s PT-2 quantum computer. 
 
The programme also includes trials and validation of use cases across defence and security, supply chains and logistics, and transport and infrastructure. Digital Catapult said the latest cohort will demonstrate how quantum as a frontier technology can be applied to all the high-growth sectors outlined in the UK government’s Industrial Strategy, underpinning economic growth.  

Previous participants include Vodafone, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, the Port of Dover and the UK Atomic Energy Authority. Now in its third year, the programme’s latest phase will combine Digital Catapult’s expertise with the NQCC’s expanding national capability in quantum computing and testbeds.

Paul Ceely, director of technology strategy at Digital Catapult, said: “Quantum Computing is no longer a theoretical concept but a technology that is demonstrating its potential value through a variety of industrial and commercial applications. The UK’s sovereign quantum capability is world-leading, but to maintain this it’s critical to demonstrate real-world business use cases.

“This is why our work here in partnership with NQCC is vital, demystifying quantum innovation and demonstrating how it can drive commercial success for those that embrace it. Quantum adoption cannot be done in isolation, but in bridging the gap between quantum experts, experienced technologists, and industry leaders.

“As such, I’m excited to see the novel solutions trialled and validated by our new cohort on a real quantum computer deployed at NQCC, which will translate deep tech into a commercial reality.” 

The programme will run until February 2027, supporting new commercial and collaborative partnerships that will help advance quantum innovation across UK industry. This includes continued collaboration with NQCC and technical partner ORCA Computing, enabling deep tech companies to scale across the UK economy.