In November 2025 we asked for volunteers to form a working group to look at ways to improve engagement with IP Inclusive amongst business services professionals in IP. The response was overwhelming, with 20 volunteers for the working group, and more steadily joining over the course of the year. During 2026 the group has held three well attended events: “Building Inclusion through Confident Conversations“, “Networking: The Theory and the Practice“, and “Changing Mindsets: Imposter syndrome“. They also have a second collaboration with Focal Point Training and Consultancy coming up in November, “Feedback Skills for Inclusive Teams” and more events and collaborations, including with IP Ability and the working group for men in IP, planned for 2027.
We are therefore delighted to announce that IP Business Services Professionals launch as a seventh IP Inclusive community today. This is a community created to champion the people whose work underpins the success of every IP organisation, from operations, HR, finance, marketing, and BD, to IT, facilities, paralegals, project management, executive support, and everything in between.
The community aims to bring those professionals together—across firms, roles, genders, ages and career stages—to share knowledge, strengthen networks, and increase visibility. Everyone is welcome here, including allies who aren’t in business services but want to learn how to support and champion them. This community provides a space where business services colleagues can collaborate, develop, and be recognised as essential contributors to an inclusive, thriving IP profession.
The community will be led by Aimee Hardman, patent paralegal at Mewburn Ellis, and Hannah Harding, patent paralegal at Page White Farrer, supported by a strong committee of volunteers. We wish them all the best in this exciting new chapter.
You can follow the community on LinkedIn or sign up to receive email updates from them.