Two Non-Executive Directors appointed to the IPO
Two new Non-Executive Directors, Andrew Lawrence and Lopa Patel MBE, have been appointed to the Steering Board of the Intellectual Property Office from 31st July 2018. The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is the official UK government body responsible for intellectual property (IP) rights including patents, designs, trademarks and copyright. The IPO is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.
The role of the Steering Board is to advise Ministers, through our Director General, on IPO strategies and performance (including targets) as set out in its Corporate Plan. The board also provides guidance from a commercial standpoint on operation and development across a range of issues. During the last 12 months, the IPO Steering Board has provided advice and guidance on a wide range of topics, such as our Corporate Plan, Agency Targets, Intellectual Property Policy, Accounts and Risk Management.
About Andrew Lawrence
Andrew Lawrence has held several positions in professional services, corporate and not for profit sectors including as Chair of the Board, Chair of Audit and Risk Committee, Non-Executive Director and Finance Director. His current roles include Chair of the Board of Bron Afon Community Housing, Member of Audit and Risk Committee of Sovereign Housing, Chair of Audit and Risk Committee of Samaritans Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Director of Baptist Insurance Plc.
Andrew Lawrence has been appointed as an independent member of the Steering Board and as Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee for a period of 3 years.
About Lopa Patel MBE
Lopa Patel is a digital entrepreneur with significant experience of creating start-ups and transforming businesses through technology. The founder of two ventures in online media and a data-driven marketing consultancy, she is also skilled in working in a challenging cultural environment as a Non-Executive Director and Trustee. Lopa is also the Founder and CEO of equality and inclusion think tank Diversity UK and a Trustee of The Science Museum Group (SMG) where she is a member of the SMG Audit and Risk Committee and a member of the Manchester Science and Industry Museum Advisory Board.
Lopa has been recognised with numerous accolades including an MBE for services to the creative industries in 2009; the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion 2015 and an Honorary Doctorate by The Open University in 2017, in recognition of her efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in science and technology and her broader contribution to British industry, society and culture.
Lopa Patel has been appointed as an independent member of the Steering Board and a member of the Audit & Risk Committee for a period of 3 years.
About the Intellectual Property Office (IPO)
The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is the official UK government body responsible for intellectual property (IP) rights including patents, designs, trademarks and copyright. IPO is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.
For further information visit https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/intellectual-property-office
