As IP Inclusive closes its 2023-2025 business plan which focused on Allyship, and celebrate 10 years of the organisation, this session will reflect on what has been learnt from the series of allyship events and present “10 Actions for Active Allyship.”
The panel will bring together representatives from all six of the IP Inclusive communities to identify practical steps for being a good ally. The discussions will be based on IP Inclusive's 2024 Allyship Guidelines, to which all the communities contributed, and tehy'll use the outcomes in the next Guidelines update.
The event will be hosted by Carpmaels & Ransford in London and online. There will be an opportunity for networking afterwards.
Timings
5.30 pm – Arrival and registration
6.00 – 7.30 pm – panel event and Q&A
7.30 – networking
Meet the panel
Chair – Helen Smith, IP Inclusive
Helen has been working on the IP Inclusive executive team since September 2022. She compiled our 2024 Allyship Guidelines based on the input provided by each of the IP Inclusive communities. Previously, she worked as a patent attorney for 19 years, before taking some time to focus on family and other interests. She has recently qualified as a counsellor.
IP Ability – George Lucas
George Lucas is a patent attorney at EIP in London working primarily in the Life Sciences sector. He was diagnosed at 11 years old with Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism. He is passionate about EPO oppositions, the importance of neurodiversity, and Dungeons & Dragons.
IP Futures – Ali Badreddine
Ali Badreddine, Ph.D. is a member of the IP Futures committee under IP Inclusive and is a part-qualified trainee patent attorney at Finnegan Europe LLP, where he works primarily on European and US patent prosecution. Ali has a research background in biomedical engineering, specializing in biomedical optics and medical devices. Before transitioning to the patent profession in Europe, he obtained his PhD and worked in the medical device industry in the US, contributing to R&D projects and serving as a named inventor on several patents. Ali has obtained a Certificate in Intellectual Property Law at Queen Mary University of London and is pursuing full qualification in European and UK patent law.
IP & ME – Bea Malacart
Bea is a trainee patent attorney in the Life Science team at Forresters, and she has been part of the IP&ME committee since 2023 . As an ally, Bea is eager to promote inclusivity and diversity in the IP sector, recognising the importance of community and representation in order to achieve this goal.
IP Out – Robin De Meyere
Robin is a Chartered Trademark Attorney and part-qualified Patent Attorney at Hoffmann Eitle, specialising in a broad range of sectors from aerospace, nuclear, mechanical, biomedical devices to fashion and dance, and has been an active member of IP Out since 2021. Robin is passionate about increasing the visibility of allyship across the legal services industry.
IPause – Jane Wainwright
Jane Wainwright leads the IPause community and is active in normalising the discussion of and support for both menopause and mental health. Until the end of 2024, Jane had been a patent attorney and partner at Potter Clarkson. However, after 23 years there, she decided she wanted a new challenge and is currently in the early stages of launching a coaching and people consultancy business to support those in professional services firms.
Women in IP – Michelle Montgomery
Michelle is a UK and European patent attorney working in the chemistry group at Carpmaels & Ransford in London.
Michelle handles prosecution and opposition work at the European Patent Office across a broad range of chemical subject matter – including pharmaceuticals, electronic devices, catalysts, polymers, nanomaterials and industrial processes.
Who’s it for?
Everyone who works in or with the UK’s IP sector is welcome. It doesn’t matter what type of organisation or department you work in, what role you play there or how senior you are, we’d love you to get involved!
Bring a guest!
IP Inclusive wants to reach as many IP people as possible. Why not invite a guest to come with you – someone in a different role or at a different career level, perhaps; an ally or potential ally; or a colleague who’s not yet involved with IP Inclusive? They’ll be most welcome!
Registration
This event is free. So are all IP Inclusive resources. That said, they do need money to keep the show on the road, so if you enjoy the event please consider contributing. For more information, visit the IP Inclusive fundraising page.
