UKIPO appoints Harry Rich as new chair
The UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has today announced the appointment of Harry Rich as the new IPO chair.
Rich has more than three decades of experience in the business, regulatory, not-for-profit, and public sectors, focussing his work on strategy, delivery, governance, and innovation.
He currently holds several posts, including as registrar of Consultant Lobbyists, chair of the Valuation Tribunal Service, non-executive director of the Press Recognition Panel, and governor of the Glasgow School of Art.
Rich has sat on the board of the Advertising Standards Authority and the UK government’s Creative Industries Council. He was previously the chief executive of the Royal Institute of British Architects and of car hire company Enterprise UK.
Commenting on his appointment, Rich said: “I’m passionate about the ways that design, innovation, creativity and business drive wellbeing and prosperity. So, I am very excited to have been appointed as chair of the IPO—and look forward to working with a great team to support the use of IP rights.”
The IPO has also announced the appointment of two non-executive directors, Harriet Kelsall and Hilary Newiss.
Kelsall concluded her term as chair of the National Association of Jewellers in 2020 and is, according to the IPO, one of the most respected bespoke designers in the UK jewellery industry.
Meanwhile, Newiss formerly served as a head of IP at Denton Hall (now known as Dentons). Since retiring, she has served on several public boards in the fields of legal ethics and scientific research, including The Human Genetics Commission.
Tim Moss, chief executive and comptroller general at the IPO, welcomed the new appointments and said that they place the IPO in an excellent position at an exciting time.
He commented: “We have an important role to play in helping to deliver the government’s innovation strategy and make the UK a science superpower, just as we are starting to deliver on our ambitious programme to transform our services over the next five years.”
The IPO has recently committed to placing IP at the heart of the UK government’s new innovation strategy and, earlier this year, launched a five-year transformation programme to overhaul its IP services, systems, and processes to make the most of modern digital technology.
All three of the new appointments took up their roles from Friday, October 1, for a period of three years.
Did you enjoy reading this story? Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories sent like this straight to your inbox
Today’s top stories
Tesla escalates EV trade secrets suit against Rivian
