The IP Inclusive Advisory Board

IP Inclusive’s Advisory Board was established by IP Inclusive’s governing body IP Inclusive Management (IPIM) in September 2021. It is a non-executive body made up of individual volunteers from both inside and outside the UK’s IP professions.

The purpose of the Advisory Board is to guide and support IPIM and its executive staff in pursuing IPIM’s objects (see section 2 of the IPIM constitution). It is intended to act as a sounding board and “critical friend”, both informally and in scheduled meetings, and to introduce a range of perspectives to strengthen IP Inclusive.

According to its terms of reference, the Board and its members will, among other things:

1. Advise on IPIM’s strategies and plans in light of its constitution and objects.
2. Make recommendations where appropriate based on their knowledge of the IP sector and of relevant best practices elsewhere.
3. Update IPIM on developments and opportunities they become aware of in the IP sector or in the context of equality, diversity, inclusivity and wellbeing more widely.
4. Help IPIM take account of the needs and views of the community it serves.
5. Act as links between (i) IPIM and (ii) the people and organisations they represent or have access to.
6. Act as ambassadors for the IP Inclusive and Careers in Ideas initiatives.

Like IPIM, the Advisory Board’s objects are to promote and improve equality, diversity, inclusivity and wellbeing in the UK’s IP professions. It too acts for the benefit of the community of UK-based IP professionals and those they work with, and also of those wishing to join that community.

The Advisory Board’s members are appointed by IPIM, aiming for a membership of from 10 to 30 people. Membership is open to any individual, other than an IPIM member, who can contribute relevant skills, expertise and perspectives to assist IPIM. Board members do not need to be IP professionals. They can be representatives of an organisation (for example an IP sector membership body) or of an IP Inclusive community, network or working group.

The Board’s current members, appointed on its establishment, are shown in the panel above. Towards the bottom of this page you’ll find some brief information about each of them and the values and experience they bring.

Carol Arnold is the current Chair and Sally Bannan the Secretary of the Board.

Membership will usually be for a period of three years, but we hope to stagger re-appointments and recruit at least some new members every year. Keep an eye on this page for information about future vacancies and how to apply.

Here are our current Advisory Board members.

Sue Antoine (she/her)

Head of HR, Haseltine Lake Kempner LLP

I’m a keen advocate and ally for inclusion across teams, sectors and professions with a particular interest in employee engagement, gender and race; a trained mental health first aider; and more importantly a good listener. At work I manage a small, dedicated HR team and am involved in our D&I group, wellbeing and engagement programme and mental health and wellness group. I have spent over 30 years in HR and experienced many different work cultures, leadership styles and work practices but throughout my desire to make a difference has always driven me on. Outside of work I love nature, gardening and exercise as ways to be more mindful and destress.

Carol Arnold (Chair)

Retired CPA/EPA; Honorary Fellow & Former President, IP Federation; Former Associate Counsel (IP) in Shell Intellectual Property Services; Former member of IPIM; Trustee

I have worked in both private practice and in industry and have managed both IP attorneys and IP formalities staff. I am a Trustee of a small disability charity and of the CIPA Benevolent Association.

I have a particularly strong interest in supporting E, D&I in IP sector recruitment to lead to a stronger, diverse IP community.

Sally Bannan (she/her) (Secretary)

Senior IP Counsel, Cytiva

I feel strongly that a society where each individual can reach their true potential is something we must strive for and IP Inclusive is a real force for good in this aim, both within the IP community and beyond. I’m a member of the epi D&I working group that was formed in September 2021, working on a range of EDI initiatives in the European patent profession. As an in-house patent attorney, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in a range of company-led school outreach activities, I volunteer as a STEM Ambassador, and I’m a mentor as part of the Careers in Ideas Mentoring Hub.

Julie Browne (she/her)

Senior Patent Attorney, Shell International Limited

I am passionate about the aims of IP Inclusive and have a particular interest in widening access to STEM careers and the IP professions, and have been involved in various initiatives in this regard in Shell, IP Federation and IP Inclusive. I am a member of IP Federation Council and Governance Committee and a former IPIM member on behalf of IP Federation. I am also a member of the IP Inclusive Careers in Ideas task force.

Caelia Bryn-Jacobsen (she/her)

Patent Attorney, Kilburn & Strode LLP

I’m proud to be an active member of IP Ability, chair of CIPA’s Professional Development Working Group, and a member of CIPA’s Educational Committee. At Kilburn & Strode, I chair their charitable fund, Innovation for All. Whether with IP Inclusive, CIPA, or at work, I am an enthusiastic promoter of D&I working to actively encourage and implement improvement.

Ben Buchanan

Deputy Director of Patents, UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO)

My role at the IPO involves managing four examination teams in the digital, data and AI space and serving as a Tribunal Hearing Officer. I incorporate a significant amount of work on inclusion and diversity within this role, championing accessibility and EDI within the IPO, leading on D&I for my business area and engaging with the Government Science and Engineering Profession and IP Inclusive. I am a passionate advocate of improving D&I through collaboration, having chaired IP Inclusive’s previous management committee in a non-executive capacity. Until the end of 2022 I chaired the newly-established IP Inclusive Advisory Board, and I continue to serve as a Board member.

Becky Campbell (she/her)

Trade Mark Attorney (currently non-practising) 

I am passionate about equality and human rights, and use my experiences as a disabled, neurodiverse, bisexual woman to raise awareness and advocate for social progress. This includes serving on the committee of IP Ability, IP Inclusive’s community for disabled people, carers and their allies. I have a keen interest in education, mentorship and social mobility.

Before joining the IP profession, I was shortlisted for a LawWorks & Attorney General award for my pro bono work. Personal interests include digital art, creative writing and gin.

Pete Fellows

Managing Director, Fellows and Associates

I run an intellectual property law recruitment firm. As a consequence I’m very aware of the hiring trends in the sector and the changing attitudes and practices amongst employers and employees. I have worked in the recruitment industry since 1998 in a wide variety of sectors (predominantly professional services) and jurisdictions. Perhaps due to my sales background, which is built upon my academic background in philosophy, I tend to see multiple perspectives – the advantages and drawbacks of an argument or point of view. I’m hopeful that I can add a rigorous and sometimes contrary approach to the Advisory Board.

Jodie Johnson

IT Trainer, Bout Wade Tennant LLP

I am a methodical thinker and process-driven person. I have worked on business improvement technics both within a manufacturing and corporate environment, helped raise over £60K for Age UK Essex and trained diversity and inclusion to 16-18 year olds. I work in London part-time and am a mum of one. I have been in IT training over 10 years and working in the legal sector since 2018.

David Joo (he/him)

Senior IP Consultant, Aon Intellectual Property Solutions

I’m an advocate of EDI and focus my volunteering efforts in careers outreach and mental wellbeing.

Before my role as a consultant, I trained to become a patent attorney working in private practice for several years. Combined with my experiences from IP law, I hope to bring insights from outside of the IP profession as we work collectively to tackle EDI issues.

Saiful Khan

Partner, Potter Clarkson LLP

We in the IP community know that a career in this field can be so fulfilling and rewarding. I would like to use my position of privilege to not only help advance wider access to the professions that we represent but also to support ongoing career progression. As an immigrant, who has greatly benefitted from the education, support and opportunities afforded to me, I know life could have been very different for me. I see that there are very talented individuals from diverse communities who will need the support and encouragement to enter and progress in the IP community to ensure our industry is fit to meet future challenges.

Abdulmalik Lawal (he/him)

Patent and Trade Mark Attorney, Franks & Co Limited

I’m a keen supporter of diversity and inclusivity, and serve on both the IP & ME Committee and the North of England Network Committee. I head the Manchester office of Franks & Co and take a lead role in the business development and growth of the office.

Liam Lawlor (he/him)

Senior European and UK Patent Attorney, Murgitroyd

I am committed to, and have a passion for, promotion of inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. I am interested in working to increase accessibility to and awareness of the IP industry. At work, I am a qualified patent attorney working at a large firm, based in the north of England. I am part of my firm’s dedicated ED&I group. I am both a member of and champion of the LGBT+ community. I am a Careers in Ideas Mentor and part of the CIPA Buddy Scheme.

Josh McLennon

European patent attorney, Håmsø Patentbyrå AS

Entering the IP profession in 2019 was an eye-opening experience for me, and the value of the IP Inclusive communities’ work cannot be understated. Quite simply, they allowed me to feel like I belong here; not just tolerated but actively supported. At my previous firm Kilburn & Strode I was a member of their Diversity Forum and a board member of their charitable fund, the Innovation For All Foundation. In my spare time I also tutor A-Level physics through the charity The Access Project. Serving on the IP Inclusive Advisory Board is an honour and a privilege.

Charlene Nelson (she/her)

Associate (Chartered Trade Mark Attorney), Foot Anstey LLP

I have a passion for promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. I did not qualify through the traditional university route and am joint qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive and Chartered Trade Mark Attorney. I am keen to ensure that those from all backgrounds are given the opportunity to practise law and there are no barriers in place to access to legal education and roles. I am a trained mental health first aider and a member of my firm’s D&I Action Group.

Carol Nyahasha (she/her)

Trade Mark Counsel, Kilburn & Strode 

I have over 18 years of experience within the IP profession. I am passionate about diversity and inclusion as I believe that given the opportunity, we all have a voice and contribution to make to the IP profession and broader society. Having spent my formative years in Zimbabwe, I’ve had to overcome various challenges in my professional life and I am keen to use my experiences to help build a profession which celebrates inclusiveness and diversity not just in form but also in thought. I sit on the CITMA Council and I am a part of the CITMA Diversity and Inclusion Working Group. I am also an active member of the IP Inclusive Careers in Ideas task force, with a particular interest in mentoring upstream recruits interested in entering the IP profession.

Megan Rannard (she/her)

Associate (Registered and Chartered Trade Mark Attorney) at Marks & Clerk LLP

I am highly committed to raising awareness, and promoting inclusion and equality for disabled professionals in particular based on my personal experiences with an invisible disability. I am also a committee member for IP Ability (the IP Inclusive community for disabled people, carers and their allies) and a keen advocate for diversity and equality across the board in the IP sector.

Rina Sond (she/her)

Intellectual Property Lawyer, Rina Sond & Associates

I am passionate about diversity and inclusion and hope to add value to the Advisory Board of IP Inclusive through my experiences. I am also Vice-Chair of the Association of Asian Women Lawyers (AAWL), an organisation which seeks to promote diversity and inclusion within the legal profession. I have worked in private practice law firms and now run my own IP consultancy. I am also a senior lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire, where I provide IP advice to clients on a pro bono basis in the university’s award-winning law clinic. I am a Legal 500 recommended lawyer.

Vanessa Stainthorpe (she/her)

Partner and Patent Attorney, HGF Limited

Involved in IP Inclusive since its launch, I now lead the North of England network which I set up in 2019. I am HGF’s Board sponsor for equality, diversity and inclusion, a trained mental health first aider and leader of HGF’s own internal EDI Focus Group.

Sarah Vaughan (she/her)

Events Manager, CITMA

I am passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion through events to reach new audiences and encourage greater representation and access to the profession. At CITMA I curate our annual events and training programme by working closely with our network of volunteer committees, including the Diversity and Inclusion Working Group which I am a member of. Through our programme of diversity- and inclusion-themed events I hope to encourage and facilitate greater engagement in our work to enhance the profession and the organisation, inspiring a positive, healthy, and inclusive culture.

Sheila Wallace

Partner, Marks & Clerk LLP

Sheila’s photo and bio will follow soon.