UKIPO appoints permanent chief executive
Interim CEO becomes permanent | Appointee “brings broad leadership experience and deep knowledge of the IPO” | Appointment “concludes a period of change at IPO”.
After serving as interim CEO since September 2022, Adam Williams has been appointed as chief executive and comptroller-general of the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO).
The announcement, made today (December 13), comes six months after the news that former CEO Tim Moss would step down in September.
Williams joined the IPO in 2009 and took up the role of director of business and international policy in September 2017.
He has previously worked for the UK government on defence policy matters and has “extensive” experience in dealing with policy issues in the European Union (EU), United Nations (UN) and NATO as well as undertaking bilateral negotiations.
Williams said of the new role: “I am thrilled to have been appointed as the IPO’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.”
In July, the IPO announced a series of board appointments in what it said would “complete its organisation design process”. Williams was then announced as interim chief executive.
The IPO said today that Williams’ appointment followed a highly competitive open-recruitment process that included candidates from inside and outside the government.
The office added: “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 [of] international and business policy will happen in due course.”
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