John Barnes, founder and CEO of Entangled Positions and UK President of OneQuantum, has consistently placed more women and ethnic minorities in quantum roles than any diversity policy he's ever been handed — not by following quotas, but by treating every candidate as an individual. His argument is that the quantum ecosystem was built by people who genuinely care, and the real risk now is absorbing the worst habits of older industries as it scales. The question he added to the pool: who do you most want to benefit from your work — and why do so few people answer beyond humanity?

---

Guest: John Barnes
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/entangled/
Company: https://eptalent.tech/

John has been placing quantum talent since 2014 — before most of the industry had a job title for it. Two-thirds of his placements are women or ethnic minorities, not through quota systems but by removing the structural barriers that filter them out before the interview. The episode goes into what those barriers actually look like, and why randomised trial logic from clinical research applies directly to hiring.

Limited edition polo shirt: https://entangledhealth.etsy.com/listing/4333318961

Host on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tehmer/

Disclaimer: All conversations at Entangled Health are a co-creation between host and guest in their personal capacities. Nothing here is an official statement from any employer or organization, nor medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your own health.