The following report has been kindly provided by Murgitroyd, who hosted an IP Insights event organised by the committee of the Scotland Network of IP Inclusive. Many thanks to Laurence Cheney of Murgitroyd, as well as everyone else involved, for facilitating this inspiring event!
Murgitroyd write:
On 20 August, Murgitroyd was proud to host an IP Insights event at our Glasgow office, organised by the committee of the Scotland Network of IP Inclusive. This collaborative initiative brought together a wide range of voices from across the IP profession and was supported by colleagues from SGMA, Scintilla, Dentons, HGF, Marks & Clerk, CMS, and our own Murgitroyd HR, Marketing and paralegal teams.
The enthusiasm and engagement of all those who attended made the day a true success. Participants came eager to learn, connect, and explore the many career paths available in intellectual property, and the feedback we’ve received has been incredibly positive.
A Line-Up of Inspiring Speakers
Attendees heard from a diverse group of professionals across the IP field:
- Mary Pratt (Murgitroyd) – on recruitment and the essential skills for success
- Jemma Law (Murgitroyd) – sharing her career journey as a patent paralegal
- Peter McBride (Scintilla) – sharing his journey to founding Scintilla and beyond
- Ryan Kellingray (Dentons) – on the role of a trade mark attorney
- Elitsa Peeva (HGF Limited) – on the importance of IP
- Hayley Russell (SGMA) – sharing her role as an in-house IP professional in Scotland
- Craig Alexander (CMS) – on the role of an IP lawyer
Each speaker offered valuable insights into the varied routes into the IP profession, spanning patents, trade marks, and the many specialist roles within the sector.
Feedback from Attendees
We are grateful for the thoughtful feedback participants shared. A few highlights include:
“It was such a helpful and insightful event, and I thoroughly enjoyed networking with the speakers and fellow participants. I am only in my second year of my degree at St Andrews and had never really considered IP until this event. It was extremely useful to hear from a range of speakers and learn about their diverse roles.”
“I found it such an inspiring and valuable experience, and it’s made me even more motivated to pursue a career as a patent attorney. I really appreciate the opportunity!”
“The session was engaging, with approachable speakers who generously shared their experiences. I left with a deeper understanding of the many career paths within IP and a genuine enthusiasm to continue exploring opportunities in the field.”
Building Community in IP
The event concluded with a vibrant networking session, where students and early-career professionals connected one-to-one with speakers. The energy in the room reflected a genuine excitement for the future of the profession.
We would like to extend a special thank you to:
- Jo Spreckley (Marks & Clerk), for initiating these events in Scotland.
- Laurence Cheney and Margaret Hastie (Murgitroyd), for their work in organising such a well-structured and inspiring programme.
At Murgitroyd, we remain committed to supporting initiatives that open doors, encourage inclusion, and highlight the diversity of opportunities within intellectual property. Events like this demonstrate the power of collaboration across the profession, and we look forward to continuing this momentum in future activities with IP Inclusive.
Last Updated: September 3, 2025