British CERN partner sights international growth with new financing deal – uk.gov

• Quantum Detectors is a small business leading the global market for electron detector systems – cutting-edge technology helping scientists collect vast amounts of data using light.

• UK Export Finance and Lloyds Bank are providing a new funding package that will enable the firm to invest in new technology and export even more of its British-made wares.

• In less than two decades, the Oxfordshire business has established itself as a supplier to major government labs across the world and become a partner to institutions like CERN, which runs the Large Hadron Collider.

UK Export Finance (UKEF) is backing a £300,000 financing package for Quantum Detectors, a small high-tech manufacturer in Oxfordshire supplying laboratories around the globe. 

Based at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Quantum Detectors manufactures detector systems for electron microscopy and x-ray light sources.

Their systems collect specialist data and are used by every major synchrotron light source – scientific facilities which literally shed light on scientific questions using high-energy x-ray beams.

Quantum Detectors already supplies to universities, science facilities and government laboratories around the world. It sought more capital to fund continued growth and build on its exporting success.

A bank guarantee from UKEF enables them to access a financing package from Lloyds Bank. This will allow them to invest in new technology and continue bringing their British-made systems to new overseas markets.

Andrew Griffith MP, Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said:

Unlocking investment is critical if we are to seize the potential for science and tech breakthroughs to create new jobs and industries and to grow the economy.

That is precisely what this backing for Quantum Detectors seeks to achieve, supporting a company born out of British scientific excellence to open up new markets for their cutting-edge technology.

Tim Reid, CEO of UK Export Finance, said:

British laboratories have pioneered some of history’s greatest scientific discoveries, saved countless lives and transformed how we understand the world around us.

A lot of this innovation is harboured by smaller firms like Quantum Detectors, so I’m particularly pleased that our GEF product has helped to unlock a finance package that means the firm can take their services to a whole new level and fly the flag for British ingenuity across the globe.

Roger Goldsbrough, CEO at Quantum Detectors, said:

I’m delighted to announce that we have secured a significant facility from Lloyds and UKEF. This marks another step in our journey towards further growth and development. This agreement is not only a testament to the confidence in our vision and potential, but also an investment in the future of our industry.

With this financial support, we are poised to expand our operations, enhance our technological capabilities, and continue to deliver exceptional value to our customers. This milestone reinforces our commitment to innovation and excellence, as we remain steadfast in our mission to lead the industry and make a meaningful impact on the global stage.

Sarah Phillips, Regional Trade Director at Lloyds Bank, added:

Lloyds Bank are proud to have supported this fascinating and highly specialised business with a tailored facility that will empower Quantum Detectors to realise their export growth ambitions.

The firm’s equipment brings together CERN Timepix & Medipix technologies, enabling scientists and researchers at leading institutions to keep pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery.