I’ve always had a strong interest in branding and the way businesses communicate their identity, which initially led me to study Media Studies at university. I later completed a CIM Professional Diploma in Marketing, building a solid foundation in both communication and branding, and a genuine curiosity about how brands are put together.

Before joining the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO), I worked in the marketing sector within industry, and then moved into roles across the Civil Service. Between the two, I gained experience in everything from stakeholder engagement to analytical work, working with a wide range of people and projects along the way.

Trade marks felt like a natural next step for me. The role brings together branding and analysis, which really suits my background, and it gave me the opportunity to develop my decision-making skills in a more specialised area. Moving into the IPO felt like a great way to apply both my commercial awareness and analytical thinking in a slightly different context.

The transition itself was very well supported, with a structured training programme that makes it much easier to move into a specialist role, even if you don’t come from an intellectual property background.

Since joining, I’ve been working as a Trade Mark Examiner, assessing applications for registration. Day-to-day, that involves looking at whether marks meet the legal requirements, considering things like distinctiveness and how goods and services are described, and then communicating those decisions clearly to applicants.

One of the best parts of the role is the variety. I get to work across lots of different industries, so no two days are ever quite the same, and there’s always something new to get to grips with. It’s a great way to keep learning about how different businesses present themselves and their brands.

Alongside examining work, I’ve also taken on the role of Skills Champion, which has been a really rewarding way to support colleagues and get involved more broadly across the organisation.

Overall, being a Trade Mark Examiner offers a really interesting mix of analysis, decision-making and communication. It’s a great role for anyone who’s curious about branding and wants to work across a wide range of industries in a meaningful way.

Trade Mark Examiner / UK Intellectual Property Office

Last Updated: June 16, 2026