Attaché contact details
Updated 11 November 2024
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1. China
Samuel Stone
Focus in China: China’s IP framework continues to develop at a fast pace. Samuel and his team in Beijing and Shanghai, provide direct support to UK companies with issues or concerns across the IP spectrum, particularly in supporting enforcement outcomes. The attaché team also works closely, as a key international partner, with a number of Chinese government agencies on IP, to share UK expertise and best practice. This work is part of wider engagement by the UK IPO with China, which include the annual UK-China IP Symposium and technical exchanges.
Career history: Before joining the Intellectual Property Office, Samuel worked at the Department for International Trade, in the UK, on trade policy and market access in China and Hong Kong. This involved working closely with British diplomatic missions in China and Hong Kong, UK government departments, industry, and Chinese counterparts to identify opportunities for trade and investment cooperation, and to improve market access for British businesses. Before this, Samuel’s career as a policy professional in the UK Civil Service included working on energy policy, tax policy, EU-exit preparations, and infrastructure projects.
Contact: Samuel.Stone@fcdo.gov.uk
2. Europe
Adin Samson
Focus in Europe: Adin works to support the IPO’s engagement with the EU Institutions, European Patent Organisation, and European countries. This includes reinforcing cooperation between the UK and the EU and European countries on IP matters such as global treaties, approaches to IP enforcement domestically and globally, and emerging tech issues such as the metaverse and AI. Adin also supports the implementation of the Intellectual Property Title of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement. He tracks EU and European legislative and policy developments and explains UK developments to enhance cooperation.
Career History: Prior to joining the IPO in November 2022, Adin worked as the Counter-Terrorism and Security attaché at the UK Mission to the EU and formerly at the UK Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels, covering a range of issues on counter-terrorism, law enforcement, and police cooperation. Prior to joining the UK Government he worked as a Public Affairs Consultant in London, and as an External Expert Consultant to the European Commission. He holds an MA (Cantab) in Law from the University of Cambridge and an MA in EU International Relations and Diplomacy from the College of Europe.
Contact: Adin.Samson@fcdo.gov.uk
3. Geneva multilateral institutions
Lizzie Wilson and Valeriano Simone
Focus in Geneva: The role of our Geneva-based IP attachés is different. Instead of focussing on business outreach, Geneva IP attachés are responsible for delivering the UK IPO objectives in the Geneva institutions, particularly the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and reporting back on IP-related developments.
Lizzie and Valeriano maintain the UK’s influence and reputation on IP in Geneva through close cooperation with other Missions, the secretariats of the international organisations, civil society and business. They also work closely with other government departments with an interest in IP and innovation, including Department for Business and Trade.
Lizzie Wilson
Career history: Lizzie started her civil service career in the Home Office. In the department she spent time as an immigration case owner assessing asylum and visa applications; working in Immigration Tribunals representing the Secretary of State and working as a Chief of Staff to Directors and Ministers. She subsequently worked on a number of projects with UK Government Investments, the government’s centre of expertise in corporate finance and corporate governance. These included the sale of the student loan debt, working with HM Land Registry, Companies House and Defence Equipment and Support. She also project managed a machinery of government transitioning an executive agency to a limited company. Lizzie has also spent time at the IPO as a Senior Policy Officer in the International Directorate working with South East Asia.
She has a Bachelors in History and French from the University of Durham, has completed an MBA course at LSE and has a diploma in Public Relations. In the UK Lizzie was a qualified magistrate in North London. Most recently Lizzie has been working in the charity sector as a Board Trustee and Director of Fundraising for a Swiss Charity called foodKIND.
Contact: Lizzie.Wilson@fcdo.gov.uk
Valeriano Simone
Career history: Valeriano was previously a research fellow at the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations in Geneva, where he gained knowledge of IP issues debated both at WIPO and WTO TRIPS. He covered the portfolio of IP-genetic resources at WIPO IGC and closely observed discussions on the IP waiver for Covid-19 vaccines prior to, and during, MC12. He has also worked with the United Nations Global Service Centre, providing project management and technical support to field missions, and the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations Organizations in Rome. He holds a Master Degree in International and Diplomatic Affairs from the University of Bologna, with a focus on China and East Asian politics.
Contact: Valeriano.Simone@fcdo.gov.uk
4. India
Vacant – recruiting
5. Latin America and the Caribbean (LATAC)
Angelica Garcia
Focus in LATAC: Angelica assists UK companies that have IP issues in LATAC, and works closely with Government to ensure that there is a strong IP framework that benefits UK exporters and incentivises local creators. Specific areas include addressing backlogs in patents and trade marks, Geographical Indications (GIs), pharmaceuticals and IP enforcement. Angelica is supporting the development of Brazil’s first national IP strategy, and she has had successes in reducing backlogs and improving IT processes and has been responsible for unprecedented wins in the IP enforcement space, making Brazil a more attractive market for UK exporters. In coming years she will look to improve IP frameworks in key markets including Colombia, Peru and Chile.
Career history: Lawyer with a LL.M in IP & International Trade from Queen Mary University, London. She was formerly Director of Marketing & Business Development for ACE Aceleratech start-up accelerator in Brazil and Latin America and worked on Deloitte’s German-Brazilian Desk. Most recently she worked for the Department for International Trade (formerly UKTI) of the British Government. Focus in LATAC: Assisting UK companies that have IP issues in LATAC and working closely with Government to ensure that there is a strong IP framework. This includes outreach with both officials and business, highlighting the benefits of a strong IP system. Specific areas of interest include addressing backlogs in patents and trade marks, Geographical Indications (GIs), pharmaceuticals and IP enforcement.
Contact: angelica.garcia@fcdo.gov.uk
6. Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
Sanaz Javadi Farahzadi
Focus in MENA: The Middle East IP system is dynamic and developing at a rapid pace. Sanaz will work with key stakeholders in the region, to continue to build relationships, cooperate on initiatives that strengthen IP administration, management and enforcement and support the increasing numbers of UK businesses trading, or looking to trade within MENA. Sanaz will focus on areas of interest for IP owners and creators, including the benefits of brand protection and effective mechanisms for copyright.
Career history: Before joining the UK Government, Sanaz collaborated with the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property, WIPO, and EUIPO, where she contributed to diverse technical assistance projects in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Central America, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Sanaz began her career as a corporate legal counsel in the oil sector, moving on to a role as a contract manager in the telecommunications industry. These roles set the foundation for her later work as a senior advisor and mentor with UN agencies, private businesses, and civil society organizations.
She has also served as Vice President of Partnerships for Women in International Trade, where she supported women’s economic empowerment on a volunteer basis.
Sanaz holds a Master’s degree in Intellectual Property Law and an LL.M in International Business Law from top universities in Iran and Switzerland. She is currently pursuing her PhD in IP Law.
Contact: Sanaz.farahzadi@fcdo.gov.uk
7. North America
Kayleigh Nauman
Focus in North America: Supporting the IPO’s input into UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations in North America by providing insight into North American IP policies and IP stakeholder input. On-going UK trade efforts at the US State level. Building cooperation between the UK and US on IP matters such as global treaties, simplifying international patent procedures, approaches to IP enforcement, and emerging tech issues such as the metaverse and NFTs. Kayleigh can also provide IP advice and support to UK businesses operating or trading with the US, Canada and Mexico.
Career history: Before joining the IPO, Kayleigh worked for a Member of Congress in the US House of Representatives. There, she managed a diverse portfolio, working on intellectual property, trade, and telecommunications; developing and writing legislation; and supporting Congressional oversight of executive agencies. Previously, Kayleigh worked in local and state government in Wyoming, USA. She is a Fulbright Scholar and holds an MPhil from Emmanuel College at the University of Cambridge, UK.
Contact: kayleigh.nauman@fcdo.gov.uk
8. Southeast Asia
Christabel Koh and Desmond Tan
Focus in Southeast Asia: The IP landscape is Southeast Asia is diverse and evolving rapidly. Based in Singapore, the team provides regional IP support to UK businesses already operating in or venturing to Southeast Asia. Their guidance helps businesses to effectively protect, exploit and enforce their IP. The team also works with partners including the local governments, regional IP groups and business associations, sharing UK expertise to develop a pro- IP business IP environment for the region.
Christabel Koh:
Career history: Prior to working for the UK Government, Christabel spent six years at the IP Office of Singapore and the IP Academy, last serving as an Assistant Director of Special Projects. In her roles she focused on international cooperation, IP capacity building and monitored IP developments. She also co-founded Just Tee It in 2007, an online golf portal. Her roles covered product development, marketing channel management and enhancing customers’ digital experience. She holds a MSc in Technopreneurship and Innovation from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
Contact: christabel.koh2@fcdo.gov.uk
Desmond Tan
Career history: Prior to joining the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), Desmond was Senior Assistant Director with the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) for five years, covering various portfolios such as strategy and policy, industry development and planning, capacity building, as well as a stint in media engagement. Desmond holds a Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Contact: desmond.tan@fcdo.gov.uk