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.

Jonny Wood BSc (Hons.), MSc, PhD

(Managing Attorney) 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)

(Managing Attorney) 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.

Stephen Evans BSc (Dual Hons.), MA

(Patent Attorney) CPA EPA

Stephen is a Registered and European Patent Attorney advising on patent matters including freedom to operate and validity analysis, due diligence, patent drafting, filing, prosecution and strategy. Stephen joined Stratagem in 2004 as a trainee having previously worked as a senior scientist and research assistant. He currently specialises in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

Stephen has a BSc in zoology and genetics and an MA in the Law and Ethics of Biotechnology from the University of Sheffield. He also has a post-graduate Certificate in Intellectual Property Law from Queen Mary, University of London. His technical background covers a broad range of subjects including biotechnology, genomics, plant science, microbiology and assisted reproductive technology (ART).

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

CPA EPA

Consultant Patent Attorney

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 and 3 years with Stratagem IPM before becoming a Consultant.

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).

Trainees and Intellectual Property Managers

Lisa Kiernan

Lisa works as a Technical Assistant supporting attorneys in various disciplines. Her previous roles in Technology Transfer and IP Management has allowed her to develop valuable skills involving IP auditing; identifying and evaluating the commercial potential of research in academia and industry; business development; prior art searching; freedom to operate analysis, drafting and reviewing contracts and agreements, and managing IP training needs of researchers. Lisa has an Msc (Dist) Drug Design & Biomedical Science from Napier University, Edinburgh and BSc (H) Biochemistry from NUI Galway. Her technical background covers a broad range of subjects including molecular biology, pharmacology, neuroscience, medical implants and diagnostics.

Simon Yates DPhil

As a 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 IP Administration 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 property and global formalities management.

The Board

David Roberts

(Non-Executive Chairman) CPA, EPA

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