The IPO has announced that Adam Williams has been appointed Chief Executive and Comptroller-General of the Intellectual Property Office.
Adam joined the Intellectual Property Office in 2009 and took up the role of Director of Business and International Policy in September 2017.
Adam has previously worked for the UK government on defence policy matters and has extensive experience dealing with policy issues in the EU, UN and NATO as well as undertaking bilateral negotiations. He has served as the IPO’s interim CEO since September 2022.
Adam Williams said:
“I am thrilled to have been appointed as the Intellectual Property Office’s CEO at this exciting time in our organisation’s history. We will continue striving to ensure that the UK’s IP environment remains one of the best-regarded in the world, helping unleash the opportunities of the future as we deliver on our ambitions. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on the IPO’s Executive Board to deliver best-in-class services for our customers, to the maximum benefit of Great British creativity and innovation”.
Harry Rich, Chair of the IPO’s Steering Board, said:
“Adam brings broad leadership experience and deep knowledge of the IPO, gained over the past 13 years. We are confident that with the IPO Executive Directors, he will lead the impressive IPO team with clarity and ambition to support the prosperity and wellbeing of our customers, stakeholders and the wider economy”.
Adam’s appointment follows a highly competitive open recruitment process, that included candidates from inside and outside Government.
The appointment largely concludes a period of change at IPO Executive Director level this year and cements the leadership team. A recruitment process to fill Adam’s previous role of Director International and Business Policy will happen in due course.
