EUIPO elects new executive director
João Negrão, currently EUIPO Boards of Appeal president, is set to take up the new role in October 2023.
He takes the reins from Christian Archambeau, who has held the position since 2018.
João Negrão was elected for the role by the Council of the EU, a governing body made up of government ministers from member states which sits in Brussels.
Negrão has been President of the EUIPO boards of appeal since 2021. He joined the EUIPO in 2010 as Head of Cabinet of the President of the Office and in 2011 he became Director of the International Cooperation and Legal Affairs Department.
During his earlier time at the EUIPO, Negrão oversaw the Convergence Programme and expansion of the EUIPO’s international cooperation activities.
The EUIPO’s executive director oversees the office’s activities in relation to its finance and infrastructure, in addition to broader responsibility for quality and performance in line with the current strategic plan.
They also oversee the Academy of the EUIPO, which includes all learning activities for Office employees, other IP professionals and the general public.
In the EU council vote, Negrão received 19 votes. Etienne Sanz de Acedo, current president of INTA, came second and received eight votes.
Following the vote, Negrão’s appointment has now been formally ratified by the Council of the EU and is set to take effect from the autumn when Archambeau’s term expires.
CITMA President Rachel Wilkinson-Duffy said: “We were delighted to hear of João’s appointment as Executive Director.
“CITMA looks forward to continuing to work together and our ongoing collaboration on important areas such as promoting harmonisation and maintaining a world class IP system in Europe.”