Change Here

What makes a place an innovation ecosystem rather than simply a collection of buildings? In this episode of Change Here, Knowledge Quarter CEO Jodi Eastwood sits down with Stefano Manini, Director General of Federated Innovation, to explore the people, partnerships and purpose that underpin successful innovation districts.

Drawing on his experience leading the development of MIND Milan, one of Europe's most ambitious innovation districts, and helping shape the future of Euston’s innovation ecosystem, Stefano shares insights into what it takes to create environments where breakthrough ideas, businesses and communities can thrive together.

Their conversation explores the importance of cross-sector collaboration, the power of unexpected connections between science, technology, culture and education, and why trust, permanence and long-term commitment are essential ingredients for successful place-based innovation. From restoring Renaissance artefacts using medical imaging technology to creating opportunities for the next generation of innovators, the discussion highlights how meaningful encounters often spark the most transformative outcomes.

Jodi and Stefano also examine the challenges of making innovation more accessible, bridging the gap between cutting-edge technologies and everyday communities, and ensuring that the benefits of growth are felt by local people. Looking ahead, they reflect on what success will ultimately look like for major innovation districts like MIND and Euston, and how creating spaces for collaboration, discovery and career reinvention can help shape more inclusive and resilient cities.

A thought-provoking conversation about the future of innovation, the value of community, and why the most successful places are built as much around people as they are around infrastructure.

Hosted by EustonX: Ben Miller on Quantum Healthcare, NHS Innovation and the Future of Medical Diagnostics

How could quantum technology improve healthcare, enable earlier diagnosis and bring advanced medical testing closer to patients? In this episode of EustonX, we speak with Dr Benjamin Miller, Lecturer at University College London (UCL), about quantum healthcare and its potential to support the NHS, clinicians and patients.

Ben is part of Q-BIOMED, the UK Quantum Biomedical Sensing Research Hub. Led by UCL and the University of Cambridge, the Hub connects expertise from across universities, healthcare, science and industry to translate quantum research into practical biomedical applications.

During the conversation, Ben explains how Q-BIOMED is developing quantum-enabled technologies that could become useful to medicine and the NHS in the near term. Its research spans four main areas: biomedical imaging, in-vitro diagnostics, tools supporting surgical interventions, and fundamental biomedical research that can provide new insights into intracellular processes.

The episode explores why collaboration is essential to successful healthcare innovation. Physicists, engineers and researchers cannot develop effective medical technologies in isolation. Continuous dialogue with clinicians, health economists and healthcare decision-makers is needed to identify genuine clinical needs, design tools that fit within existing care pathways, and focus investment on solutions capable of delivering meaningful health and economic benefits.

Ben also discusses the potential for quantum sensing to increase access to diagnostics. Optically pumped magnetometers can measure tiny magnetic fields and could support forms of brain scanning without the super-cooled magnets associated with some conventional systems. Because these sensors can work at room temperature, they may eventually create opportunities for imaging and diagnostic services outside major hospitals and closer to local communities.

We also examine efforts to make in-vitro diagnostics, including lateral flow tests, significantly more sensitive while remaining robust and accessible. The long-term ambition is to bring laboratory-grade diagnostic capability into pharmacies, GP surgeries and potentially patients’ homes. This could support earlier detection, preventative healthcare and the NHS goal of moving more care from hospitals into community settings.

The conversation then turns to research translation, university spin-outs and the commercialisation of quantum technology. Ben outlines how Q-BIOMED supports interdisciplinary training, business development and collaboration so that promising discoveries can progress from university laboratories towards scalable healthcare products and services.

We also hear about the London Quantum Cluster, a collaboration involving UCL, King’s College London and Imperial College London that connects researchers with leaders in business and investment. Through shared facilities, laboratory space, commercial support and a stronger innovation network, the Cluster aims to accelerate the journey from scientific breakthrough to market-ready quantum technology.

Looking ahead to 2036, Ben shares a clear ambition: for quantum technologies to be used routinely in the NHS and healthcare more broadly, delivering positive outcomes for patients while generating lasting value for the UK economy.

EustonX brings together voices from academia, industry and investment to explore the technologies, partnerships and places shaping the quantum economy. Following an opening conversation focused on industry, this second episode turns to academia and the researchers working to convert advanced science into solutions for real-world challenges.

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In the first episode of the Change Here podcast, Adam Hammond, IBM's Quantum Business Lead for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, explores the rapidly advancing world of quantum computing and why many believe it could become one of the most important technologies of the coming decades. Drawing on his experience at IBM and years spent working at the forefront of emerging technologies, Hammond explains how quantum is moving from research labs into commercial applications, creating opportunities for businesses, governments and society.

While quantum computing has been studied for decades, Hammond argues that the sector has reached a pivotal moment. Advances in hardware, software and algorithms are accelerating progress faster than many expected. He describes how research that once took years to reach practical use is now being translated into customer applications within months. This rapid pace of development is helping organisations move from curiosity about quantum to actively exploring how it could solve real business challenges.

The conversation highlights the UK's strong position in the global quantum ecosystem. Hammond notes that the UK was an early investor in quantum technologies and has developed world-leading expertise across research and academia. However, he believes the next challenge is commercialisation. Success will depend not only on scientific breakthroughs but on creating products, applications and businesses that can deliver real value to organisations and the wider economy.

A key theme is the potential economic impact of quantum computing. Hammond points to research suggesting the technology could drive significant productivity improvements across industries. From financial services and healthcare to logistics, manufacturing and energy, quantum computing could help organisations tackle complex problems that are difficult or impossible to solve using today's computing methods.

One example discussed is molecular simulation, an area with enormous implications for healthcare and drug discovery. Hammond explains how quantum computers are becoming increasingly capable of modelling complex molecules, helping researchers better understand chemical interactions and accelerate scientific breakthroughs. He highlights the dramatic progress achieved in recent years as advances in algorithms have rapidly expanded what quantum systems can accomplish.

The relationship between quantum computing and artificial intelligence also features prominently in the discussion. Rather than competing technologies, Hammond sees AI and quantum as complementary. AI is already being used to optimise quantum systems and reduce errors, while quantum computing could eventually help improve AI models and increase efficiency. In the future, different forms of computing power, including CPUs, GPUs and quantum processors, are likely to work together, with AI helping determine which technology is best suited to each task.

The episode also explores how businesses are preparing for this future. Organisations including major banks are already investigating quantum applications and developing an understanding of where the technology could create value. While widespread adoption remains some years away, Hammond believes those starting the journey today will be best positioned to take advantage of future opportunities.

Skills and talent represent another important challenge. Hammond argues that while quantum is often associated with physicists, the industry will also need mathematicians, data scientists, software developers and problem-solvers. He stresses the importance of mathematical thinking and analytical skills, suggesting that education systems must do more to prepare people for the emerging opportunities quantum technologies will create. With forecasts suggesting substantial job growth in the sector, building a skilled workforce will be critical.