July 03, 2025 -- ORCA announces the appointment of Erik Langaker, as Chairman of the Board (COB). Erik’s appointment comes at a defining moment for ORCA, bringing global expertise to support the company’s next phase of growth and market leadership.

Erik Langaker is a globally respected technology investor, entrepreneur and board leader with deep expertise in building and scaling innovative businesses across Europe and internationally. Over a 30-year career, he has held senior executive and non-executive roles in several dynamic technology and industrial companies, among them CMR Surgical and PragmatIC semiconductor in the UK. His particular focus being applied technology, digital transformation and operational excellence.

Based in London and Portugal, Erik has played an important role in founding, developing, and commercializing several ventures across Europe and beyond. He brings a sharp commercial lens and operational rigor to deep tech innovation.

Erik joins ORCA at a pivotal time of market traction and momentum. ORCA is among the leading providers of deployed quantum systems worldwide and is showcasing how quantum, paired with generative AI, can accelerate drug discovery, enhance national security and improve efficiency across logistics and telecommunications. Recent highlights include the installation of the UK’s first photonic quantum system to the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) and two PT Series quantum systems at the US Air Force-funded facility, at Montana State University. ORCA has also launched a high-impact partnership with Vodafone to model future networks, has initiatives with PSNC and NVIDIA to accelerate hybrid applications and is collaborating with Toyota Tsusho and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan.

“It is an honor to welcome Erik as Chairman,” said Richard Murray, CEO and Co-founder of ORCA Computing. “His leadership and strategic clarity will be critical as we continue to scale our quantum systems globally and unlock commercial applications.”

“ORCA represents a rare combination of scientific excellence and commercial pragmatism, delivering real-world quantum systems that are already impacting sectors like telecoms, energy and defense,” said Erik Langaker. “I’m excited to join the board at such a dynamic stage and to help guide ORCA as it continues to turn breakthrough technology into tangible value.”

This appointment also marks the transition of Prof. Ian Walmsley, PhD, FRS, Co-founder of ORCA Computing, who has served as Chairman of the Board since the company’s founding in 2019. He will continue to support ORCA as a valued member of the Board of Directors.

“I’ve been privileged to lead ORCA’s Board since the company began, and to assist its emergence from a bold vision for quantum computing to a global leader in useful quantum machines,” said Prof. Ian Walmsley, Co-founder and outgoing Chairman of the ORCA Computing Board. “The next phase of growth for the company, I am pleased to hand over to Erik, who brings critical experience in building deep tech companies to become market leaders. I look forward to continuing engagement with ORCA, both as a regular Board member and as advisor.”