Sheila Lesley Volunteer of the Year Award

Help us recognise those who give their time and expertise to support the profession and CITMA.

As a member-led organisation, we rely on you to help drive our work forward, set the priorities for the organisation and continue to meet the needs of a changing profession.

What is the award?

To acknowledge the outstanding individual contribution, we founded a new award in the name of Sheila Lesley OBE last year.

Sheila was our first female president, and sadly passed away in 2019. Sheila dedicated a lot of time and effort to CITMA and the profession, so it seemed only fitting that this award be given her name.

The award will be given to a CITMA member who sits on a committee, steering group, taskforce or working group and has made a big impact through their contributions over the past 12 months.

Our first winner

At our annual Christmas Lunch celebrations last year, Ese Akpogheneta was announced as the first-ever winner of the Sheila Lesley Volunteer of the Year Award.

The judges noted Ese’s achievements in making the profession more accessible and open, her involvement in mentoring, and her strong devotion to the committees and working groups she supports.

Kate O’Rourke and Sarah Foster were also recognised for their efforts and positive impact on the profession, placing “Highly Commended” in the award.

How you can nominate someone

You can nominate yourself or someone else by completing and submitting the form below.

The judges will be looking for someone who is a CITMA member, and through their work on a committee, steering group, taskforce or working group, has:

Made a positive impact on the profession and/or society
Can demonstrate significant contribution over the past 12 months
Aligned with strategic objectives

The award will be presented to the winner at the CITMA Christmas Lunch in December. The deadline for submissions is Friday, 12th September 2025.

Your name (the nominator) *

Your email address *

Full name of the person you are nominating *

Email address of the nominee *

I confirm that I have received the member's permission to submit them for nomination *

Yes

What committee, taskforce, steering group or working group is the nominee involved in? *

Why does this person deserve recognition within CITMA? Please give clear examples of how the nominee meets the criteria. *

What personal qualities and attributes does the nominee have?

Our judges

Ernriel Bell

Ernie has over 10 years industry experience and currently works as an Online Brand Protection Consultant for LexisNexis IP providing support and expertise in combatting online IP infringement and helping brands mitigate the risk of counterfeit goods affecting their businesses.

Ernie is a Part Qualified Trade Mark Attorney who studied English Language at undergraduate level before taking a Master's degree in International Intellectual Property Law. He then went on to study the Postgraduate Certificate in Trade Mark Law and Practice at Queen Mary, University of London before beginning his professional career in IP.

Tania Clark

Past President of CITMA with 25+ years’ experience working in major trade mark and patent firms.

Presently IP Consultant at Arcacious IP.

Dewdney Drew

Dewdney is a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney and a non-practising solicitor (South Africa) with extensive experience in trade marks over a 20 year plus career. Renowned for his holistic approach to legal problems, he has particular expertise in music, fashion, financial services, pharmaceuticals and energy. Dewdney is a senior director, trade marks at Murgitroyd.

In his spare time, Dewdney enjoys horse racing, travel and spending time with his family.

Gayle Hodt

Gayle is currently an IP Specialist with lawfirm D Young & Co, leading and managing the trade mark renewals team.

Throughout her 25 year IP career, Gayloe has worked for Camelot Group plc (previous owner of the UK National Lottery), pharmaceutical company GSK and luxury brands company Richemont International Ltd.

Gayle currently lives in Lymington in Hampshire and during her spare time linkes to travel and regularly sings in Rock Choir.

Carly Sherwood

Carly is a Senior Chartered Paralegal and Technical Work Flow Specialist.

She has vast experience on all aspects of trade marks.

Carly qualified as a CITMA Paralegal in 2005 and is a committee member of the CITMA Paralegal Course working group.

Lucy Walker

Drawing on a wealth of nearly 20 years’ experience, Lucy advises her diverse client base on a wide range of trade mark matters. Lucy’s passion for IP goes further than her day-to-day work. Lucy is responsible for the management of Barker Brettell’s Renewals Department.

Lucy is also the equality, inclusivity and diversity officer where she is championing the Firm’s ethos of being truly committed to providing a supportive, thriving working environment that respects and values each individual employee regardless of their background and experience. As part of this, she has also taken on the responsibility of the firm’s social committee to improve the social environment in the workplace.

Lucy is committed to furthering the education of those looking at careers in Intellectual Property. Lucy lectures on various undergraduate and postgraduate university courses. She is also an active member of CITMA’s Paralegal Education Team, acting as a lecturer on the course, participating in the working group and she is an official examiner. Lucy is also a member of CITMA’s Education Working Group for trade mark attorneys.

Charlotte Wilding

Charlotte is a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney with 15+ years experience, having entered the profession in 2008.

Charlotte spent 12 years at Keltie, taking some time out to head up trade mark practices elsewhere, before rejoining in 2023.

Having a keen interest in developing the careers of young attorneys and education within the profession, Charlotte is actively involved in the CITMA Review and is a member of INTA’s Publication Committee, as well as previously being a member of INTA’s Young Practitioners Committee.