Intellectual Property Office
Also referred to as Intellectual Property (IP) attachs, the IP liaison officers work with local UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) and Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) leads to provide support for UK businesses seeking advice on local IP matters.
They also:
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raise awareness of through business outreach. This includes briefing business delegations, joint webinars with UKTI and local trade associations
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liaise with host governments and stakeholders about local and international IP frameworks / environment
Contact details
Christabel Koh: South East Asia
Joined Intellectual Property Office (IPO): September 2013
Career history: Enjoyed several years covering international engagement at the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) and IP Academy Singapore.
Focus in SE Asia: Christabel plays an instrumental role in promoting and supporting British businesses in South East Asia. She represents a point of contact for one-to-one IP support to UK businesses; leads awareness-raising through business and stakeholder outreach events; and conducts policy dialogue with host governments across the region to discuss local and international IP frameworks and environments.
Contact details: email: Christabel.Koh2@fco.gov.uk; tel: +65 6424 4229; address: British High Commission Singapore, 100 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247919.
Tom Duke: China
Joined IPO: December 2011
Career history: Tom Duke was appointed the first UK IP attach to China in December 2011. Prior to joining the British Embassy in Beijing, he was Director responsible for the IP Centre at the EU Chamber of Commerce in Seoul, South Korea. He speaks fluent Mandarin, and has been living and working in the region for nine years.
Focus in China: The Chinese IP framework is fast developing, and the UK is a key international partner. Tom, and his policy team in Beijing, provide direct support to UK companies with concerns across the IP spectrum, particularly in supporting enforcement outcomes. He also works closely with a number of Chinese government agencies on IP, to share UK expertise and best practice. This work is bolstered by several IPO visits to China each year.
Contact details: email: Tom.Duke2@fco.gov.uk ; tel: +86-10-5192-4495; address: British Embassy, 11 Guanghua Lu, Beijing 100200.
Sheila Alves: Brazil
Joined IPO: August 2012
Career history: Over 10 years experience of IP in public/private sectors and has managed several IP and tech transfer projects. Gained an insight into difficulties faced by foreign investors trying to navigate Brazils IP framework whilst working at Apex-Brazil (equivalent to UKTI).
Focus in Brazil: Assisting UK companies who have IP issues in Brazil and working closely with Government to ensure that there is a strong IP framework. This includes outreach with both officials and business, highlighting the benefits of a strong IP system. Specific areas of interest include addressing backlogs in patents and trade marks, Geographical Indications (GIs), pharmaceuticals, IP enforcement and the revision of Brazilian copyright law.
Contact details: email: Sheila.Alves@fco.gov.uk; tel: +55 61 3329 2316; address: British Embassy, SES Qd. 801, Cj. K, Brasilia, Brazil, Cep: 70408-900.
Anshika Jha: India
Joined IPO: May 2012
Career history: Dual qualified lawyer - a Solicitor in England / Wales and an Advocate in India. Having practiced law in India and worked at a leading law firm in London, Anshika has a solid grasp of Indian IP issues and UK companies IP concerns.
Focus in India: Anshika has assisted numerous British businesses facing IP-related issues in India as well as providing advice and guidance on the Indian IP environment. In addition to ongoing business support, in the last year her focus has been on delivering copyright related projects in conjunction with Indian Trade Associations.
From 23 January 2015, Anshika will be on maternity leave and her post will be covered by Vijay Iyer. Vijay is primarily based in the British Deputy High Commission, Mumbai but also spends time in the British High Commission, New Delhi. Previously, he was a Senior Science & Innovation Adviser with the UK Science & Innovation Network and led on efforts to foster UK-India research partnerships. Vijay has nearly six years professional experience in technology transfer and innovation management with organisations such as Temple University and the Boston Consulting Group in the USA, and the CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory in India. Vijay earned a PhD (Chemistry) from the University of Fribourg, Switzerland and an MBA (Finance) from the Fox School of Business, Philadelphia, USA. He is a Registered Patent Agent in India.
Contact details: email: Vijay.Iyer@fco.gov.uk; tel: +91 22 6650 2202; address: British Deputy High Commission, Mumbai - 400051.