Delta.g appoints Tony Lowe as new CEO to lead quantum shift

Delta.g, a technology start-up specialising in complex subsurface mapping, has appointed Tony Lowe as its new Chief Executive Officer. The London-based company aims to leverage Lowe's extensive experience to transition its innovative quantum sensors from laboratory research to commercial application.

Tony Lowe is a veteran in the UK technology sector, having significantly contributed to the development, delivery, and commercialisation of cutting-edge technologies globally over the past 15 years. His portfolio includes projects with renowned brands such as Jaguar Land Rover, AT&T, and Harman Samsung. Most recently, Lowe served as Chief Operating Officer at deep tech scaleups like Oxa and Oxford Quantum Circuits. In these roles, he played a crucial part in raising over USD $300 million in series B/C funding, specifically within the quantum computing and autonomous vehicle sectors.

In a statement, Lowe expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, saying, "I’m delighted to be joining the company spearheading the near-term commercial application of quantum technologies, creating the Google Maps for the underground to solve real-world use cases in multiple industry verticals. My passion lies in building scalable, generative companies to deliver world-changing technologies."

Delta.g's technology, which originated from over a decade of research at the University of Birmingham's Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Timing, has received more than GBP £20 million in UK Government funding. The company’s flagship product, gravity gradiometry sensors, aims to revolutionise the way resources and infrastructure are identified and managed. This technology promises significant benefits, such as eliminating speculative drilling, providing secure global navigation solutions, and reducing the frequency of roadworks by accurately identifying underground utilities and transport infrastructure.

Pete Stirling, the outgoing CEO who will continue to serve as Chief Commercial Officer, welcomed Lowe’s appointment, stating, "Tony has the leadership experience and personality that will drive Delta.g forward in the long term. I look forward to supporting him in achieving Delta.g’s significant objectives and delivering value to our stakeholders by converting this revolutionary sovereign research capability into a world-leading deep technology business."

John Williams, a partner at Science Creates Ventures (SCVC), the deep tech venture capital firm that led Delta.g’s pre-seed investment round, also expressed confidence in Lowe's leadership. "Deep tech startups live or die by their leadership, and in Tony, we’re convinced we have found the best-placed CEO to lead the business and realise its long-term ambitions. I'm excited to be working closely with Tony to ensure he has the support he needs to put the operational structure in place to realise his vision for Delta.g," Williams stated.

The company’s recent undertakings include partnering with STL Tech, NKT Photonics, and the University of Birmingham to further develop a semi-autonomous system capable of scanning cities and infrastructure. This system aims to detect emerging hazards before they become problematic and facilitate more targeted repairs to reduce congestion. These efforts are supported by a GBP £2.4 million Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) contract, awarded in February 2024 as part of the UK Government's GBP £45 million investment to unlock the potential of the country's quantum sector. The Department for Transport sponsors the SBRI contract, with ongoing cooperation involving Network Rail, National Highways, Transport for London, and HS2.