I am Head - Legal Brand Protection at Sandoz International GmbH in Munich, Germany and have gained IP expertise across complex, highly regulated legal environments, both in private practice and blue-chip FMCG, entertainment and media multinational brand owners.Agile and commercially-focused, I find innovative yet pragmatic solutions to legal and commercial challenges to secure best outcomes for the business. I devise robust legal strategies which enable intellectual property rights to be used as cost-effective business tools to mitigate potential legal risks and help drive business growth by delivering on key commercial objectives. I safeguard legal, regulatory and reputational interests with robust IP enforcement strategies to enable the business to leverage potential commercial opportunities.My career started in private practice following admission as Barrister and Solicitor of New Zealand in 1992. After moving to the UK, I joined global IP firm, Rouse & Co, in 1998 as Brand Manager before moving to the BBC as a Trade Mark Lawyer in 1999. In 2004, I moved to Diageo plc as IP Counsel, J&B and Scotch Portfolio Global Brands advising Marketing and Innovation teams in key markets including China, Japan, Korea and Australia / New Zealand. I subsequently joined HJ Heinz as IP Counsel – UK & Europe in 2008, where I led strategic protection, commercialization and enforcement of key brands and related IP rights. I joined Philip Morris in 2014 relocating to Hong Kong the following year as Senior Counsel - Trademarks, Copyright & Designs - Asia-Pac. I oversaw all aspects of IP strategy relating to tobacco and reduced-risk products regionally, aligning IP strategy with commercial objectives to add value to the business. I led a multi-jurisdictional team in dealing with contentious and non-contentious IP matters.After short contract with Hutchinson 3G UK Limited, I moved to Munich, Germany as Head - Legal Brand Protection team in November 2019. I speak fluent English, Spanish and Italian, and have a good working knowledge of Portuguese.I always welcome conversations with anyone who wishes to know more about my in-depth IP expertise.
Listed skills include Leadership, Enforcement Strategies, Ipr Clearance, Negotiation, and 21 others.