UK overseas intellectual property attaché network

Also referred to as Intellectual Property (IP) attachés, the IP liaison officers work with local UK Department for International Trade (DIT) and Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) leads to provide support for UK businesses seeking advice on local IP matters.

They also:

raise awareness of IP through business outreach. This includes briefing business delegations, joint webinars with DIT and local trade associations
liaise with host governments and stakeholders about local and international IP frameworks / environment

Contact details

Kayleigh Nauman: Attaché North America

Career history: Before joining the Intellectual Property Office (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.

Focus in North America: Supporting the IPO’s input into any Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States and providing insight into US IP policies and IP discussions they may have with global trading partners. Kayleigh also focusses on building cooperation between the US and UK on IP matters such as global treaties, simplifying international patent procedures and approaches to IP enforcement. Finally, Kayleigh can provide IP advice and support to UK businesses operating or trading with the US, Canada and Mexico.

Contact details: email: kayleigh.nauman@fco.gov.uk; tel: +44 202 588 1232; address: 3100 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA.

Christabel Koh: South East Asia

Joined IPO: August 2013

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 details: email: christabel.koh2@fco.gov.uk; tel: +65 9619 1675; address: British High Commission Singapore, 100 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247919.

Desmond Tan: South East Asia

Joined IPO: April 2018

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.

Focus in SE Asia: The IP landscape is SE Asia is diverse and evolving rapidly. Based in Singapore, the team provides regional IP support to UK businesses operating in or venturing to SE Asia. The team also works with the local governments and associations to develop a pro-business IP environment for the region.

Contact details: email: desmond.tan@fco.gov.uk; tel: +65 9088 4018; address: British High Commission Singapore, 100 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247919.

Cerian Foulkes: China

Joined IPO: April 2019

Career history: Prior to joining the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), Cerian was Senior Innovation Policy Officer for the UK government’s Science and Innovation Network in China. Previous to this, she worked in the China team of the UK’s Research Councils and in the auto industry. Cerian has lived and worked in China for over nine years and is fluent in Mandarin.

Focus in China: China’s IP framework is fast developing and the UK is a key international partner. Cerian and her team in Beijing and Shanghai, provide direct support to UK companies with concerns across the IP spectrum, particularly in supporting enforcement outcomes. The team also works closely 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, including the annual UK-China IP Symposium and technical exchanges.

Contact details: email: cerian.foulkes@fco.gov.uk; address: British Embassy, 11 Guanghua Lu, Beijing 100200.

Angelica Garcia: Brazil

Joined IPO: August 2016

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 Brazil: Assisting UK companies that have IP issues in Brazil 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 details: email: angelica.garcia@fco.gov.uk; tel: +55 11 3094 2729; address: British Consulate General, Rua Ferreira de Araújo, 741, São Paulo, Brazil – 05428-002.

India

Post currently vacant.