Intellectual Property

New Chief Executive for the Patent Office

Malcolm Wicks, Minister for Science and Innovation today announced the appointment of Ian Fletcher as Chief Executive of the Patent Office. Ian is currently Managing Director, International Directorate in UK Trade and Investment.

Announcing the appointment Malcolm Wicks said;

"I am pleased to welcome Ian to the Patent Office at this exciting time. The recent Gowers Review of Intellectual Property redefines the Patent Office’s role both in the UK and abroad, seeing intellectual property rights as vital for British businesses. I look forward to working with him and the Office as it develops in the light of the planned name change to UK Intellectual Property Office on 2 April."

Ian Fletcher said;

"I am delighted to be joining the Patent Office. It already plays a vital role in the UK's economic prosperity, its scientific excellence and its innovation system. As the Office moves on to tackle to challenges set out in Andrew Gowers' review, the Office's role will become even more central to the UK's response to the challenges of globalisation."

Ron Marchant, Chief Executive of Patent Office said;

"Having met with Ian a few times and discussed the future of the UK Intellectual Property Office I have been impressed with his enthusiasm and his wide international perspective. I am confident he will take the Office forward on its chosen path."

Ian will take up his new post 30 April 2007. He will succeed the current Chief Executive Ron Marchant who retires on 30 March 2007.

Arrangements have been made for Director of Finance Kevin Woodrow to be appointed interim Chief Executive

Editors' notes:

  • Biographical details
    Ian joined the UK Civil Service in 1989 after an earlier career in the New Zealand diplomatic service. He worked initially in the (then) Monopolies & Mergers Commission, until 1991. Ian then worked in Trade Policy at the end of the GATT Uruguay Round, and continued this work during a secondment with European Commission, negotiating in the World Trade Organisation on Free Trade Agreements. Ian returned to the UK in 1998 and, after working in DTI’s HR area, Ian joined the then Overseas Trade Services organisation at the time the Wilson Review of Export Promotion was being finalised and British Trade International was being established, working on finance HR and corporate policy issues. In 2000, Ian undertook a secondment with the UN Administration in Kosovo as Head of the Customs Service and Department of Trade & Industry. He returned later that year to head DTI’s Directorate responsible for electricity and gas policy. During 2002, Ian moved to the Cabinet Office as Principal Private Secretary to Sir Andrew Turnbull, the Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Home Civil Service. Since 2004, Ian has been Managing Director, International in UKTI, managing the UK’s foreign commercial service.
  • On 2 April 2007 The Patent Office will change its name to UK Intellectual Property Office to better reflect the wide range of Intellectual property services it offers.
  • The Patent Office is an Executive Agency of DTI within OSI and responsible for the national framework of Intellectual Property rights, comprising patent, designs, trade marks and copyright.