Early in 2025 a working group of volunteers from all areas of IP Inclusive got together to think up ways to celebrate ten years of IP Inclusive from 2015 – 2025. From cupcakes to podcasts and anniversary logos, lots of bright ideas have come out of it! Laurence Cheney, Head of Global Marketing Operations at Murgitroyd, kindly offered to organise and host an online coffee date, open to everyone in IP Inclusive. Laurence writes:
On 25 September 2025, the Scotland Network of IP Inclusive hosted a Coffee Connect session that brought together IP professionals from across the UK. We were delighted to see such strong engagement from attendees representing a wide range of organisations and career stages, including several who were new to both the network and IP Inclusive itself.
Our thanks go to Amy Dawson, Scotland Network Committee Member, for suggesting this fantastic event, and to Margaret Hastie, Ryan Kellingray, David Blair, Elitsa Peeva and Amy Dawson for expertly moderating the breakout discussions.
Event Highlights and Participant Feedback
Welcoming New and Returning Attendees
Several participants were attending an IP Inclusive event for the first time, attracted by the informal and networking-focused nature of the session. Many commented on how safe, welcoming, and open the environment felt, a key goal of Coffee Connect. Attendees appreciated the opportunity to share experiences, connect with peers from other regions and organisations, and discuss professional challenges in a supportive space.
Inclusivity and the IP Profession
Discussions across multiple breakout rooms emphasised the ongoing importance of IP Inclusive in promoting openness and community across the IP profession.
- Several attendees expressed relief that IP Inclusive existed, even if they hadn’t previously engaged actively with it.
- A number of participants highlighted efforts within their own workplaces to improve inclusivity, such as one in-house paralegal who shared positive experiences in raising awareness around men’s mental health.
- Others noted that the event itself demonstrated progress—particularly the healthy mix of private practice and in-house professionals taking part.
Career Pathways and Entry into IP
Many attendees reflected on their journeys into IP, which revealed the sector’s diverse range of entry routes. Paths included marketing, law, HR, and academia. A recurring theme was that few people had set out to work in IP from a young age; instead, most discovered it later through study or career transitions. This prompted discussion about the potential for school and university outreach to raise awareness of IP careers earlier.
Recruitment and Diversity
In one breakout group, an attendee shared insights into current recruitment trends, highlighting increasing competition among graduates and a lingering perception that firms favour Oxbridge candidates. Participants discussed how this may discourage some applicants and suggested that HR professionals and partners could be more directly targeted to encourage inclusive hiring practices.
Encouragingly, others observed a gradual shift in mentality within the profession toward broader, more diverse intakes, a development many felt should continue to be supported through initiatives like IP Inclusive.
Event Format and Future Ideas
The small-group format (typically 4–6 participants in each breakout room) was widely praised for creating space for open dialogue. Several attendees suggested offering more networking-driven events, both virtual and in-person, introducing guest speakers to draw in new audiences and hosting less topic-focused events to encourage broader engagement. The positive feedback received afterward, including follow-up messages on LinkedIn, reflected the strong appetite for ongoing opportunities to connect in this way.
Thank You
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for Coffee Connect. Your openness, enthusiasm, and willingness to share made the event the great success it was—and a truly fitting way to celebrate 10 years of IP Inclusive. We look forward to many more opportunities to connect, collaborate, and continue building our inclusive IP community together.