Voices From the Top:
Insights from Women in IP and their Journey to Leadership
25 November, 2025
5.30 for a 6.00 pm start
We were excited to announce our debut collaboration between Women in IP and IP Futures, bringing together Voices From the Top to inspire new and varied routes to senior, strategic, and influential roles in IP.
From left to right: Eleanor Craig-Fisher, Maeve O’Flynn, Swati Bhardwaj, Alison Cole, Julia Coggins and Lucy Coe
Attendees joined us for an engaging panel discussion featuring accomplished women from both in-house and private practice backgrounds. Our panellists shared their unique journeys through training, career progression, and advancement to leadership positions, offering valuable insights into the diverse pathways available in the IP profession.
You can watch a recording of the panel discussion here:
While this discussion was women-led, the event welcomed all professionals looking to advance their careers and explore different journeys to success in IP.
This event was kindly hosted by Simmons & Simmons at their London offices located at 1 Ropemaker Street.
About the Organisers
The event was organised by IP Futures in conjunction with Women In IP. Both communities are part of IP Inclusive, with IP Futures specifically for early-career professionals in IP with up to 10 years of experience and Women In IP acting for everyone who identifies as a woman, including women with trans history and non-binary people. You can read more about IP Futures here and Women in IP here.
Location
Simmons & Simmons, CityPoint, 1 Ropemaker St, London EC2Y 9SS
Timings
5:30 pm – 6:00 pm: arrival, registration and welcome drinks
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm: panel discussion
7:30 pm onwards: networking drinks and nibbles reception
Meet the Panellists
Our panel included professionals with a range of backgrounds in patents or trade marks from private practice and in-house positions.
- Lucy Coe, Partner and Patent Attorney at Mewburn Ellis LLP
- Alison Cole, Senior Counsel, Head of Brand Portfolio Practice and Trade Mark Attorney at Taylor Wessing LLP
- Maeve O’Flynn, Partner and Patent Attorney at Finnegan Europe LLP
- Swati Bhardwaj, Senior Patent Manager at British American Tobacco
- Julia Coggins, Senior Patent Counsel at GSK
Registrations
This event was free and so are all our resources. We think it’s important to keep IP Inclusive on the right side of the paywall.
That said, we do need money to keep the show on the road, so if you are able please consider donating. For more information visit the IP Inclusive fundraising page.