D-Wave Quantum Appoints Bernard Gavgani as Independent Director

What Happened
D-Wave Quantum Inc. (QBTS) announced that on September 18, 2026 its Board appointed Bernard Gavgani as an independent Class II director, effective that date. Mr. Gavgani will serve until the Company’s 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (or until his successor is elected) and will join the Board’s Cybersecurity Committee. He will be paid the same as other non-employee directors under the “Director Compensation” described in D-Wave’s 2026 Proxy Statement.

Key Details

• Appointment effective: September 18, 2026; term ends at 2027 Annual Meeting (or upon successor election).
• Committee assignment: Cybersecurity Committee.
• Compensation: Same basis as other non-employee directors per 2026 Proxy Statement.
• Background: Age 67; currently Senior Advisor for Technology and Innovation to BNP Paribas Group Executive Management; served as Group CIO at BNP Paribas (Oct 2018–Jun 2025) and COO for IT & Operations (2009–2018). Holds an Advanced Certificate for Executives from MIT Sloan and an Executive MBA from HEC Paris.
• Independence and disclosures: No transactions reportable under Item 404(a) of Regulation S‑K, no arrangements or selection understandings, and no family relationships with D-Wave’s directors or officers.
• Exhibit: Press release announcing the appointment is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to the 8-K.

Why It Matters
This is a governance update — an additional independent director with deep technology, AI governance and cybersecurity experience joins D-Wave’s board. For investors, the appointment strengthens board expertise in areas relevant to D-Wave’s technology and risk oversight (cybersecurity and AI governance), though the filing does not indicate any immediate financial impact. The director’s independence and disclosed lack of related-party transactions are relevant for shareholder governance and oversight considerations.