Delivered by Secerna LLP in partnership with the NatWest Accelerator, this practical and interactive workshop helps early-stage businesses prepare their intellectual property for fundraising, investment, licensing, or acquisition. Led by Patent Attorney Melvyn Ansell, the session addresses common pitfalls that surface during due diligence, offering a clear framework to identify and resolve critical gaps before investors or acquirers start asking questions.

Through real-world case studies, you will explore key topics such as IP ownership, Freedom to Operate, patent strength, linking IP to commercial strategy, and ongoing portfolio management. Designed for founders and leadership teams, this workshop provides actionable steps to ensure you can demonstrate the strength and value of your IP with complete clarity and confidence.

Registration details coming soon

Delivered by Secerna LLP in partnership with the NatWest Accelerator, this practical and interactive workshop offers an essential guide to navigating the UK trade mark process. The session breaks down what trade marks are, how brand protection drives value, and how to clear key registrability hurdles, including avoiding non-distinctive or descriptive refusals and mitigating third-party conflicts. You will learn how to draft investor-ready specifications and align international filings (EU, Madrid, priority claims) directly with your commercial rollout strategy.

The workshop also covers ongoing portfolio housekeeping to ensure your assets remain enforceable as you scale. You will discover how to conduct portfolio audits, maintain essential 'use' records, and leverage proactive enforcement tools, from trade mark watching and cease-and-desist actions to swift marketplace and social media takedowns.

Registration details coming soon

As part of the Leeds NatWest Accelerator’s Funding Readiness – Expert Sessions at 2 Whitehall Quay, Leeds, Secerna Patent Attorney Melvyn Ansell will lead a practical, interactive workshop on IP readiness for investment.

The session covers key fundamentals for founders, including IP ownership, asset identification, aligning IP with commercial strategy, freedom to operate, patent strength, supporting evidence, and long-term IP management.

Delivered by Secerna LLP in partnership with the NatWest Accelerator, this practical and interactive workshop offers an essential guide to navigating IP protection for software and AI. Led by Senior Associate Jonathan Roberts, the session demystifies the patenting process covering what patents protect, eligibility criteria, and typical steps to grant, while addressing the practical hurdles of securing protection for software and AI-driven inventions. You’ll gain actionable insights into identifying patentable assets, managing training data trade secrets, and navigating key differences between UK/European and US patent frameworks. 

The workshop also explores proper AI usage in innovation, outlining ownership rights for AI-assisted developments and the risks of using AI tools to evaluate patentability.

Registration details coming soon

Meet Secerna Senior Associate, Dr Huw Jenkins, who is attending the University of Essex's event From Lab to Land: Making Collaboration Work in Agri-Tech

At the event discover how effective collaboration between businesses, growers and universities drives innovation. 

If you would like to arrange a meeting with Huw to discuss any intellectual property questions you may have, please get in touch. 

Secerna Partner Charlotte Watkins will join the expert panel at the York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub’s Innovation Supper: October 2026 at York St John University.

As one of the Hub's most sought-after events, the evening features six promising new businesses pitching live for a prize fund, with Charlotte on hand to help evaluate the presentations before the audience votes to crown the winner.  

Meet Senior Associate, Hazel Robson, who is attending the Athena Festival 2026 at Nexus - University of Leeds on Wednesday 7th October 2026. 

If you would like to arrange a meeting with Hazel to discuss any intellectual property questions you may have, please get in touch. 

Meet Secerna Senior Associate, Dr Huw Jenkins, who is attending the BioForward 2026 in Harwell on Tuesday 29 September 2026. 

If you would like to arrange a meeting with Huw to discuss any intellectual property questions you may have, please get in touch. 

Delivered by Secerna LLP in partnership with the NatWest Accelerator, this practical and interactive workshop helps founders, innovators, and R&D teams transform innovation into a high-value business asset. Led by Patent Attorney Melvyn Ansell, the session provides plain-English, expert guidance on identifying valuable IP, avoiding common pitfalls, and crafting an effective IP strategy that directly supports commercialisation, investment, and long-term growth.

Through real-world case studies and open discussion, you will gain actionable insights into protecting your assets, leveraging IP for competitive advantage, and managing potential infringement. Designed to be collaborative and practical, this event equips you with the tools to safeguard your business ideas and clear next steps to maximise their commercial value.

Meet Secerna Patent Attorney, George McCanney at the Centre for Advanced Diagnostic Development and Application (CADDA) Annual Conference, on 15th September 2026 at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology.

The CADDA Annual Conference is a forum for the latest ideas, cutting‑edge research and innovative thinking shaping the future of diagnostics. 

Meet Secerna Patent Attorney, John Harbottle, who is attending the Unleashing the Commercial Power of Research showcase on Tuesday 14th July at The Catalyst, Newcastle Helix, Newcastle. This event will help you gain insight into funding, IP and the wider innovation ecosystem.

Join us for an engaging and practical session about Building an Effective IP Strategy delivered by Melvyn Ansell on behalf of Secerna LLP. 

This expert-led session is designed to empower innovators with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to protect, manage, and strategically leverage IP to support innovation, collaboration, and commercial success.

Secerna Patent Attorneys Jonathan Roberts, and Melvyn Ansell are attending Climb 26 at the Royal Armouries In Leeds on the 1st and 2nd of July 2026.

It’s a great opportunity to speak with our highly experienced team, and both Jonathan and Melvyn will be available to discuss any IP questions you may have.

Meet with Secerna Partner, Charlotte Watkins and Senior Associate, Huw Jenkins at BIO International Convention, San Diego, USA between 22nd - 25th June 2026.

It’s a great opportunity to speak with our highly experienced team, and both Charlotte and Huw will be available for meetings and appointments to discuss any Intellectual Property questions you may have. Please get in touch before their diaries fill up.

Meet Secerna Patent Attorney, John Harbottle, who is attending the 2026 BioFocus Conference on Wednesday 17th June at The Catalyst, Newcastle Helix, Newcastle.

If you would like to arrange a meeting with John to discuss any intellectual property questions you may have, please get in touch. 

Meet with Secerna Partner, Charlotte Watkins at the North East Female Founder Demo Day at The Catalyst, Helix, Newcastle upon Tyne, 
on Wednesday 10th June 2026 from 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM.

Join a live panel discussion to hear first-hand from the expert panel, including Secerna's Melvyn Ansell, as they share their personal insights into their roles, career journeys, and the realities of working in a fast-moving, cutting edge sector of drug discovery. 

Join Secerna Patent Attorney Melvyn Ansell at CHEMUK 2026 for an insightful session on IP management.

Melvyn will present 'The coating that nearly slipped away: The value of intellectual property (IP) strategy' on Wednesday 20th May at 15:40. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how a robust strategy can protect your most valuable innovations."

If you are traveling to the INTA Annual Meeting this May (2nd-6th), Secerna Partner Jason Boakes and Trade Mark Attorney Sam Turton would welcome the opportunity to connect with you in person.

Jason and Sam will be in London throughout the week and are available for coffee and lunch meetings at convenient locations across the city. Their schedules for the week are filling up quickly, please act fast and get in touch to arrange a meeting in the diary.

Secerna Partner, Charlotte Watkins and European Patent Attorney, Niamh Crabtree are attending AIPLA Women in IP in Leeds on 16th April 2026. If you are attending and would like to speak with them, please get in touch. 

Join Secerna and NatWest Accelerator for this practical and empowering event designed to give founders, innovators and R&D teams the confidence to protect and commercialise their ideas.

Meet with Secerna Partner, Charlotte Watkins at Lifted Women Angels Conference 2026, Aspire, Leeds on Friday 30th January 2026 from 9.45 – 5pm.