UKIPO names new CEO

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2025

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

UKIPO names new CEO

Adam Williams.jpg

Adam Williams will take the job on a permanent basis after serving as interim CEO since the departure of Tim Moss in September

Adam Williams has been appointed chief executive and comptroller-general of the UKIPO, the office announced today, December 13.

Williams had served as the interim CEO since the departure of Tim Moss in September this year.

He was previously the UKIPO’s director of business and international policy, a role he had held since 2017.

“I am thrilled to have been appointed as the UKIPO 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,” Williams said.

Before he joined the UKIPO in 2009, Williams worked as an adviser to the government on military strategy.

The UKIPO said there had been a highly competitive recruitment process with candidates from inside and outside government.

Harry Rich, chair of the UKIPO steering board, said Williams had leadership experience and deep knowledge of the office.

A process to recruit a new director of business and international policy will happen in due course, the UKIPO said.

Williams’ predecessor, Moss, was broadly seen to have successfully led the UKIPO through a turbulent period after the UK left the EU.

But there could be further uncertainty ahead with the UK government’s plans to scrap, tweak or retain some EU laws that remained on the UK statute book after Brexit.

The UK is also involved in several free trade negotiations, which are likely to have significant IP implications.

A deadline for a draft deal with India was missed in October, with the UK’s IP proposals attracting criticism from non-governmental organisations and health access campaigners.

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Heath Hoglund, president of Via LA, discusses how it sets royalty rates and its plans to build on growth in China
Stobbs stands accused of interfering with the administration of justice after Brandsmiths’ client was subjected to an interim injunction for unjustified threats
The firm, known for its prosecution expertise, discusses its plans following the appointment of a UK-based patent litigation head and two new partners
Ed White at Clarivate provides an exclusive insight into the innovation power clusters reshaping Europe and the Middle East’s IP landscape, and why quality is the new currency of invention
In the first in a new podcast series celebrating the tenth anniversary of IP Inclusive, we look back at the network’s origins and discuss its mission
Rebecca Schwarz at Haynes Boone shares how her team secured victory for biopharma client RedHill in a licensing dispute involving a developmental cancer drug
News of a breakaway firm launching in Germany and a spike in vaccine-related patent applications were also among the top talking points
A flurry of hiring activity among UK firms suggests they are confident of mounting a serious challenge at the UPC
With the submission deadline approaching, we sat down with our research team to provide top tips on how to make your firm stand out
EA, owner of video games including Madden and The Sims, will be sold to a consortium including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and a firm owned by Donald Trump’s son-in-law
Gift this article