Our People

The Principals

Listed below are our attorneys and chairman. They are supported by the board and an experienced staff of intellectual property managers, searching, database and IT systems experts plus our dedicated operational team.

David Roberts
(Non-Executive Chairman) CPA, EPA

David Roberts was Senior Vice President of Intellectual Property at GlaxoSmithKline plc, with offices in London and Philadelphia, until June 2007 and Global Head of Intellectual Property at GlaxoSmithKline plc and its legacy companies, SmithKline Beecham plc and Beecham Pharmaceuticals Ltd, for 27 years. During this time David had executive responsibility for 250 staff including some 120 patent and trade mark attorneys based in Europe, USA and Japan. David has a BSc (Hons) degree in chemistry from the University of Liverpool and an LLB (Hons) from the University of London and is a UK Chartered Patent Attorney and a European Patent Attorney.

In addition to David’s position on the Board of Stratagem IPM Limited, he is a non-executive Director on the Steering Board of the UK Intellctual Property Office. During his career, David has sat on many professional committees, including most recently, Chair of the IP Policy Committee of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries (EFPIA) and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), President of Interpat (the international organisation of the heads of Intellectual Property departments of the top 30 pharmaceutical companies worldwide) and a Board member of EFPIA and the Intellectual Property Institute.

Nicola Baker-Munton
(Chief Executive Officer) CPA, EPA

Nicola Baker-Munton is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Stratagem IPM. She is a qualified UK Patent Agent and European Patent Attorney with a joint honours degree in biology and biochemistry. During her nine years as an industrial practitioner at the Wellcome Foundation Limited, and four years in the private sector, Nicola recognised the need for much greater assistance with management of intellectual property earlier in the development of technologies, and advice and assistance with commercialisation throughout the technology/product life-cycle. Nicola founded Stratagem IPM in 1999. With year on year growth it has become the leading specialist company providing active strategic management of intellectual property portfolios from inception through development to market, and from academia through startup to stock market listing.

Abigail Twitchen
(Head of Trade Marks) RTMA, ETMA

Abigail joined Stratagem in 2005 and is based in our Cambridge HQ. She began her career in private practice, moving to ICI in 1999 taking on responsibility for various trade mark portfolios within the ICI Group, and being involved in several acquisitions & disposals, as well as providing advice on registered designs & copyright. Abigail has a particular interest in domain names and intellectual property issues concerned with the internet. She has also provided training to IPAG and students of ITMA, together with in-house training to marketing and legal departments within many ICI Group businesses.

Sarah Boxall BSc (Hons.), ARCM[PG], PhD
CPA EPA

Sarah Boxall is a Chartered Patent Attorney, European Patent Attorney and a US Patent Agent. Sarah gained a BSc (Hons) degree in Biochemistry and Pharmacology from the University of Southampton before going on to University College London. Here she obtained a PhD in Neuropharmacology, her research being sponsored by Novartis through a PhD CASE Research Award. Sarah joined the patent profession in 1998 and spent 4 years in private practice at David Keltie Associates followed by 4 years in industry with Pfizer Limited before joining Stratagem in July 2006.

Sarah is experienced in all aspects of UK, European, US, PCT and foreign patent prosecution, as well as managing large intellectual property portfolios. This experience also includes advising and prosecuting UK and foreign designs, UK, Community and US trade marks and copyright. Whilst working in these areas, Sarah’s responsibilities have included formalities, prosecution, opposition, infringement, searching, appeal, validity, licensing and assignments. During her time with Pfizer, Sarah spent 6 months working in the Pfizer Inc Patent Department in California where she advised US attorneys and clients on European and UK Law. Technical areas of work have been chemistry, mechanics, medical apparatus and all aspects of biology (in particular in the anti-viral areas).

Jonny Wood BSc (Hons.), MSc, PhD
CPA EPA

Jonny Wood is a Chartered Patent Attorney and European Patent Attorney. He gained his degree in Biochemistry from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, followed by an MSc in Biotechnology from UWE, and a PhD in molecular physiology from the University of Dundee. Jonny then worked as a post doctoral research associate for the Medical Research Council at the Virology Unit in Glasgow, studying hepatitis C virus RNA-protein interactions. Jonny joined the patent profession in 2001, initially working for a private practice based in Manchester, and latterly for a firm of Solicitors. He joined Stratagem in 2007.

Jonny has previously managed broad and varied intellectual property portfolios, and is experienced in the drafting, filing and prosecution of UK, European and International patent applications, trade marks, and infringement and validity issues. He now specialises in all aspects of biotechnology.

Victoria Hufton MPhys(Oxon)
CPA EPA

Victoria Hufton is a European Patent Attorney and a Chartered Patent Attorney. Victoria obtained a Masters degree in Physics from Oxford University and joined the patent profession in 2000 receiving her training within a London-based private practice. She has subsequently worked as Intellectual Property manager for Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd with overall responsibility for a portfolio covering all aspects of the R&D output of the European activities before joining Stratagem in April 2008.

Victoria has experience of all aspects of the filing and prosecution of UK, European and International patent applications together with portfolio management experience gained during her time at Nissan.

Victoria has previously worked in a wide variety of technical areas including printing sciences; audio equipment; oil and gas products; computer systems; equipment for the cement industry; high throughput screening and genomics automation; and automotive safety systems.

Trainees and Intellectual Property Managers

Stephen Evans BSc (Dual Hons.), MA

Stephen is part qualified as a Patent Attorney. He has wide experience as an Intellectual Property Manager especially with medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. His original qualification in zoology and genetics has extended into molecular biology and biotechnology coupled with an MA in Law and Ethics of Biotechnology. His experience with Stratagem extends to freedom to operate and validity analysis, due diligence, patent drafting, filing and prosecution.

Simon Yates DPhil

As a trainee Trade Mark Attorney and Senior Intellectual Property Manager, Simon has wide experience of molecular biology and human genetics. His previous business development experience adds skills in competitor intelligence, market research and analysis of sales and other relevant data. Simon is an intellectual property transfer recordal specialist.

Dave Saunders C Chem MRSC

In addition to his duties as Senior Intellectual Property Manager, Dave is Head of Search Services and spearheads the Client Budgeting Service for the company. He has a background in both synthetic organic chemistry and information services management in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. Dave has extensive experience in search and analysis, competitor analysis, intellectual proeprty and global formalities management.

Alan Nugent

In his role as Formalities Manager, Alan is head of the formalities function and service for the company. His 20 years of intellectual property experience is gained from both industrial and private practice. Alan's specialities include database management and global intellectual property formalities.

Susan George

As Operations Manager for the company Susan organises and manages our business processes, systems and staff required to support our clients and attorneys. This includes managing the company document and database processing, all client procedural requirements, confidential Human Resources matters, facilities and the company IT systems.

The Board

David Roberts
(Non-Executive Chairman) CPA, EPA

David Roberts was Senior Vice President of Intellectual Property at GlaxoSmithKline plc, with offices in London and Philadelphia, until June 2007 and Global Head of Intellectual Property at GlaxoSmithKline plc and its legacy companies, SmithKline Beecham plc and Beecham Pharmaceuticals Ltd, for 27 years. During this time David had executive responsibility for 250 staff including some 120 patent and trade mark attorneys based in Europe, USA and Japan. David has a BSc (Hons) degree in chemistry from the University of Liverpool and an LLB (Hons) from the University of London and is a UK Chartered Patent Attorney and a European Patent Attorney.

In addition to David’s position on the Board of Stratagem IPM Limited, he is a non-executive Director on the Steering Board of the UK Intellectual Property Office. During his career, David has sat on many professional committees, including most recently, Chair of the IP Policy Committee of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical
Industries (EFPIA) and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), President of Interpat (the international organisation of the heads of Intellectual Property departments of the top 30 pharmaceutical companies worldwide) and a Board member of EFPIA and the Intellectual Property Institute.

Nicola Baker-Munton
(Chief Executive Officer) CPA, EPA

Nicola Baker-Munton is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Stratagem IPM. She is a qualified UK Patent Agent and European Patent Attorney with a joint honours degree in biology and biochemistry. During her nine years as an industrial practitioner at the Wellcome Foundation Limited, and four years in the private sector, Nicola recognised the need for much greater assistance with management of intellectual property earlier in the development of technologies, and advice and assistance with commercialisation throughout the technology/product life-cycle. Nicola founded Stratagem IPM in 1999. With year on year growth it has become the leading specialist company providing active strategic management of intellectual property portfolios from inception through development to market, and from academia through startup to stock market listing.

Paul Bailey
(Director)

Paul Bailey served as an Army Officer in the Royal Signals before moving into industry. His early career was focused on managing trading, marketing, sales, logistics and supply chain functions. As a commercial strategist he has considerable experience of business model, business strategy, business development and financial planning and the subsequent operational leadership of implementing organisational change and motivating cross-functional teams, in periods of cultural change. Paul has spent the last 15 years in senior executive roles at a number of blue-chip and unlisted companies both large and small. Up until 2002 he was an operational director of Safeway plc as Director of Format; prior to that he was Director of Product Marketing.