Hi, I’m Jim

Senior Independent IP Strategist and Problem Solver

30 years of IP experience – including Deputy Director at the UK Intellectual Property Office and Head of IP & Commercialisation at the University of the West of England. At the UK IPO I made 18 decisions in patent cases. I can help you:

  • Understand how to use IP to grow and protect your business.

  • Decide what IP protection you may need, when you need it and which countries to secure it in.

  • Get the right, cost-effective specialist advice at the right time.

  • Resolve an IP problem or dispute; perhaps someone has used your valuable ideas without your permission, or you have been accused of infringing someone else's IP. I can help you develop a strategy and work with the right specialist(s) to resolve it.

My IP experience, combined with strong scientific expertise - a PhD in Biomedical Sciences - means I can particularly help technology companies with patents, especially in the life-science sector.

Get expert IP thinking before you embark on spending thousands on legal fees. I have helped clients save significant amounts of money on IP costs.

I don't replace a patent attorney or IP lawyer. With my extensive networks, I’ll find the best patent attorney/IP lawyer for your needs to enable you to get the right advice at the right price.

Based in Bristol, South West UK and able to operate globally.

Let's talk IP

What is Intellectual Property (IP)?

IP rights provide legal protection for your ideas. These include, patents, copyright, design rights, trademarks. Confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements are important too.

When does IP protection matter?

The answer can define your ability to attract investment, secure the right partnerships and build long-term commercial value from the business assets you might already have. The patent system alone is complex and costly - and international filing strategies require careful planning. Getting this right from the start is critical. That's where I can help. 

How I can help

Strategise

Shaping IP strategies that go beyond protection - aligning your intellectual assets with broader business objectives to unlock their full commercial potential.

Translate

Navigating the complexities of UK and international IP systems - translating legal nuance into clear, practical guidance for your current and future activities.

Connect

Drawing on a strong network of trusted patent attorneys, licensing lawyers, IP litigation firms and business associates — connecting you with the right expertise, at the right time.

Deliver

Securing the most relevant and cost-effective legal support across different technologies and jurisdictions - so you get exactly what you need, without unnecessary complexity or cost.

IP Training

I offer tailored IP training drawing on a blended experience of commercialising IP,  delivering patent judgements, and participating in IP court cases on behalf of the UK Intellectual Property Office.  

30 Years of IP experience

  • Hearing Officer on 18 patent cases. Legally rigorous decisions across a broad range of technologies. One landmark decision was subsequently appealed and upheld by both the UK High Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union, a testament to the depth and quality of legal reasoning applied. Complementing this, I have the ability to grasp technical detail across multiple technology sectors. This enables precise, well-rounded IP advice. I was an inaugural member of IPO senior leadership team. Extensive corporate and personnel management.

    • Responsible for developing UK and European IP policy in university-business relations.

    • Led the Lambert IP Group -a influential think-tank dedicated to fostering university-business relations. The Lambert toolkit has been widely recognised as making a significant and lasting contribution to the UK's university research commercialisation ecosystem.

    • Senior adviser and speechwriter to six government Ministers.

    • Vice Chair- European Knowledge Transfer and IP Committee.

    • Responsible for all aspects of IP and commercialisation at UWE Bristol -securing patent and trade mark protection, managing an international patent portfolio, and research contracts.

    • Secured an extensive range of IP licences.

    • Spin-out company creation and management.

    • Developed and drafted IP framework agreements - Head of Terms - with small and multinational companies.

    • Developed and delivered IP training for undergraduates, PhD students and academics at all levels.

    • Supported academics in IP development programmes including iCURE (Innovate UK), helping translate research into real-world outcomes.

What Clients are Saying

"Jim's expert IP and sector knowledge was invaluable to our success with Innovate UK’s iCURE programme. He went above and beyond to support the team and his level of professionalism, measured approach, and advice was very much appreciated."

Claire Renwick
Head of Business Engagement, London Metropolitan University.

"Working with Jim has been invaluable. He demystified the patent process and language from the outset. Beyond supporting my application, he provided strategic guidance on both UK and international filings, acting as a trusted sounding board and helping me avoid potentially costly mistakes."

Mark Lulsens
Founder, Soundtribe Ltd

"I was fortunate to attend an IP training session delivered by Jim. He made complex issues around research commercialisation accessible, offering practical advice on protecting ideas while enabling impact."

Dr Leila Ellis
Wellcome GW4 Clinical Doctoral Fellow.

"I feel fortunate to have found Jim at an important stage, building IP and credibility, as well as connections. Like all ventures, we rely on our purpose, strategy and assets (incl. IP) but most of all relationships. Jim has helped us with all of these aspects, in approachable and thoughtful ways. Advice has been substantial, clear and precise, tailored to our needs and always personal. Utilising his experience and network has been a great way to expand. Thanks for being part of the team."

Rick Entwhistle
Founder Huceno Ltd

My impact in IP

    • Senior Responsible Owner for "Intellectual Asset Management for Universities"​, UK Intellectual Property Office.

    •  Lead for Business-to-Business IP licensing programme, UK Intellectual Property Office.

    •  European Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) IPR Committee IP steering Committee - lead for  “Member States” Group.

    • Editor of “European Research Area Guidelines on the management of IP in International Research Collaboration Agreements between European and Non-European Partners"​  European Commission.

    • National expert,  IP Committee - OECD Programme “Guidelines on Testing for Chemicals”.

    •  Member of the six person IP Committee of the Human Genetics Commission.

    • Inaugural member of the Science Advisory Council for Wales.

    •  Inaugural member of the Senior Leadership Team of the UK Intellectual Property Office.

    •  VC Chair European Commission, DG Research Knowledge Transfer and IP Committee.

    •  Assistant Director Knowledge Transfer and IP Commercialisation, National Institute  Social Care and Health Research, Welsh Government.

    • European expert for the “Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research”, Ottawa, Canada

    • European H2020 innovation funding (appointed knowledge transfer expert)

    • Health and Social Care Wales, “Invent” awards (programme lead and panel chair)

    • Health Innovation Programme Awards, Health Innovation West (West of England, Academic Health Science Network)

    • MRC Impact Accelerator Awards

Before We Talk - A Note on Confidentiality

First off

Be cautious about sharing novel ideas - particularly inventions - with anyone or through search engines/AI tools before the appropriate protections are in place. The risks of doing so are real and worth taking seriously.

And then…

If you'd like to move forward together, I'd recommend we start with a confidentiality agreement. The choice of what that covers is entirely yours - though I'd suggest considering the NDA templates available through the UK Government’s Intellectual Property Office as a solid starting point.

Let's talk IP