Ann Wright appointed Chief Executive of IP Regulator

Published: 25 November 2009
By: Peter Prowse

Ann Wright, a solicitor from Blackheath in South East London, has been named chief executive of The Intellectual Property Regulation Board (IPReg), the recently-formed regulator for the intellectual property professions (patent and trade mark attorneys).

Michael Heap, Chairman of IPReg, said that he was delighted that Ann had accepted the offer of appointment. ‘Ann Wright’s background in the legal world’, he added, ‘and her understanding of the nature of regulation in that environment are very relevant to making IPReg function smoothly when it goes fully operational in January 2010’.

IPReg was set up as part of the reforms of the Legal Services Act 2007 which creates a new system for legal complaints and an ombudsman scheme to deal with all consumer complaints about legal services. It also paves the way for lawyers, including patent and trade mark attorneys, to set up in partnership with other professionals and to be owned or take investment from outside companies or individuals.

‘I am delighted to join IPReg’, said Ann Wright. ‘After a nine-month “gap year” I am ready to return to the world of law and look forward to leading the new body in a time of change. The legal professions are demonstrating that they are putting the interests of the consumer at the very heart of the delivery of legal services and, whilst IPReg is a small board in comparison to others, I am sure that we, with CIPA and ITMA, will be able to contribute significantly to the models of best practice.’

John Brown, President of CIPA, added that he was pleased that IPReg now had all the elements in place for a successful launch on 1 January. ‘Sorting out the implications of the Legal Services Act has been a painstaking process,’ he said. ‘Reaching this stage in time for the deadline is a testament to CIPA’s and ITMA’s ability to work effectively together and deliver an outcome that will meet the needs of consumers, as well as complying with the requirements of the Act.’

Background

Ann Wright

Ann Wright was selected for the role of Chief Executive in an open competition and replaces former IPO official Mike Knight, who steps down as IPReg’s Acting Chief Executive and will retire.

Ann Wright has a degree in Jurisprudence from St Hugh’s College Oxford, is a solicitor and was a partner at Nabarro for over 20 years. She was previously a Director of The British Council for Offices and a committee member of the Westminster Law Society.

Intellectual Property Regulation Board (IPReg)

IPReg was established by CIPA, the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, and ITMA, the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys in April 2009, as an independent body with responsibility to the Legal Services Board (LSB) to comply with the regulatory provisions of the Legal Services Act of 2007. IPReg is responsible for patent and trade mark attorneys and firms of trade mark and patent attorneys who are listed on the official Registers covering each profession. The Registers can be accessed at www.ipreg.org.uk.

The UK is at the forefront of regulating legal services and the establishment of IPReg is believed to be the first instance in Europe of trade mark and patent attorneys coming under regulatory control. This ensures that consumers, not only in the UK, but also those from overseas using UK attorneys, get a top quality service and appropriate means of redress in cases of dissatisfaction.

For further information, contact:
Nicholas Pope, tel: 020 7405 9450
Peter Prowse, tel: 01372 271234, mobile: 07973 213039