Our governance
Source: gov.uk (2025-08-07)

The main steering board, audit committee and other governance groups of the IPO.

Our governance

The IPO has an Executive Board, Steering Board and Audit and Risk Committee to manage and advise on activities.

The Intellectual Property Office Framework Document Intellectual Property Office Framework Document (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5f4f4db2e90e071c78ff79de/IPO-framework.pdf) (PDF, 981 KB, 44 pages) specifies the governance arrangements that apply to the Intellectual Property Office (IPO). This details the responsibilities of the Chief Executive, the main steering board, audit committee and other governance groups of the IPO. It also sets out the framework of policy, planning, accountability and delegations within which the Intellectual Property Office operates.

IPO Executive Board

The IPO Executive Board (known as IPOB) is the senior decision-making body of the organisation. The Board is responsible for setting the direction and making fundamental and over-arching decisions to support the organisation in achieving its objectives. The Board’s role is to take decisions on corporate issues, to ensure corporate initiatives are aligned with Ministerial targets and Departmental strategic objectives, to create and deliver the Corporate Plan (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/intellectual-property-office-corporate-plan-2025-to-2026) and to manage the IPO within its remit as an Executive Agency Trading Fund in the interests of public and government stakeholders.

Executive Board members
- Adam Williams, Chief Executive Officer
- Andy Bartlett, Deputy CEO and Director of Services
- Sian-Nia Davies, Chief Digital, Data & Technology Officer
- Steph Bell, Director of Strategy
- Neil Hartley, Finance Director
- Micheal Prior, Interim Director of Rights Policy
- Penny Phillpotts, Director of People and Places
- Natasha Chick, Director of Enforcement, Business and International Directorate
IPO Steering Board

Our steering board advises ministers on the strategies, performance and targets set out in our corporate plan (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/intellectual-property-office-corporate-plan-2025-to-2026). It also provides commercial guidance on our operation and development. The Steering Board has no executive functions.
- Steering board terms of reference (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68948657e7be62b4f06430fa/Steering_Board_Terms_of_Reference_July_2025.odt) (ODT, 609 KB)
Board meetings

Minutes from each meeting are available once approved at the following meeting. Approved minutes are below:

2025
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 3 April 2025 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68948657586f9c9360656975/Steering_Board_Minutes_of_April_2025.odt) (ODT, 63.2 KB)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 20 February 2025 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68948657e7be62b4f06430f9/Steering_Board_Minutes_of_Feb_2025.odt) (ODT, 67 KB)
2024
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 20 November 2024 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/689486573080e72710b2e218/Steering_Board_Minutes_of_Nov_2024.odt) (ODT, 35 KB)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 19 September 2024 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68948657a6eb81a3f9b2e20f/Steering_Board_Minutes_of_Sept_2024.odt) (ODT, 62.2 KB)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 20 June 2024 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/671782db194d62fb68540532/Steering-Board-Meeting-Minutes-20-06-2024.pdf) (PDF, 179 KB, 5 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 11 April 2024 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66aa0b2a49b9c0597fdb086a/Steering-Board-Minutes-11-April-2024.pdf) (PDF, 193 KB, 6 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 6 February 2024 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6656fedf8f90ef31c23ebb9a/Steering-board-minutes-6-Feb-24.pdf) (PDF, 187 KB, 6 pages)
2023
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 9 November 2023 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65e7219e7bc3290adab8c217/ipo-steering-board-minutes-9-november-2023.pdf) (PDF, 195 KB, 6 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 14 September 2023 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a22a9fab418ab055592d13/Steering-Board-Meeting-14-September-2023.pdf) (PDF, 185 KB, 6 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 7 June 2023 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a22a4749b9c0597fdb04b4/Steering-Board-Meeting-07-June-2023.pdf) (PDF, 158 KB, 4 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 29 March 2023 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a229c1a3c2a28abb50d6fd/Steering-Board-Meeting-29-March-2023.pdf) (PDF, 198 KB, 6 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 30 January 2023 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a228e6fc8e12ac3edb0496/Steering-Board-Meeting-30-January-2023.pdf) (PDF, 202 KB, 8 pages)
2022
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 2 November 2022 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a22b8849b9c0597fdb04b5/Steering-Board-Meeting-02-November-2022.pdf) (PDF, 212 KB, 6 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 8 September 2022 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a22c540808eaf43b50d70c/Steering-Board-Minutes-08-September-2022.pdf) (PDF, 174 KB, 6 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 9 June 2022 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/633af3608fa8f5410cba0fc0/IPO-steering-board-minutes.pdf) (PDF, 176 KB, 6 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes 29 March 2022 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62ac48f38fa8f5357549fa6e/IPO-Steering-Board-Minutes-29-03-22.pdf) (PDF, 213 KB, 9 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes 19 January 2022 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6274ef50e90e070dc2c24392/IPO-Steering-Board-Minutes-19-January-2022.pdf) (PDF, 186 KB, 7 pages)
2021
- IPO Steering Board: minutes 17 November 2021 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/61f0f92e8fa8f505893f1e4c/IPO-Steering-Board-Minutes-17-November-2021.pdf) (PDF, 195 KB, 7 pages)
- Note regarding IPO Steering Board Meetings on 1 April and 8 September 2021 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/61eebd3d8fa8f505953f504e/Note-Steering-Board-meetings-1-April-and-8-September-2021.pdf) (PDF, 123 KB, 1 page)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes 10 June 2021 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/61eebba1e90e0703805e2a50/IPO-Steering-Board-Minutes-10-June-2021.pdf) (PDF, 168 KB, 7 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes 27 January 2021 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/606d7c0b8fa8f5735ae89307/IPO_Steering_Board_Minutes__27_January_2021.pdf) (PDF, 446 KB, 7 pages)
2020
- IPO Steering Board: minutes 3 August 2020 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5fbb8fb9d3bf7f572d8f4686/Steering-board-meeting-3-aug-2020.pdf) (PDF, 166 KB, 5 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes 10 June 2020 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5f3ceeb68fa8f5173e55c860/Steering-Board-minutes-10-June-20.pdf) (PDF, 160 KB, 7 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 2 April 2020 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5f02fb613a6f4023d3b7a8c9/steering-board-meeting-2-April-2020.pdf) (PDF, 158 KB, 7 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 29 January 2020 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5e8c2e6e86650c18cb34ea2f/steering-board-meeting-29-jan-2020.pdf) (PDF, 141 KB, 5 pages)
2019
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 28 November 2019 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5e4a825c40f0b677ca249fda/steering-board-meeting-28-November-2019.pdf) (PDF, 138 KB, 5 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 24 June 2019 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5e319482e5274a08ee6ac9b3/Steering-board-meeting-24-June-2019.pdf) (PDF, 153 KB, 6 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 03 April 2019 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5d1c62cfed915d0bc6a0a13c/steering-board-minutes-03-april-2019.pdf) (PDF, 397 KB, 7 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 30 January 2019 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5cd5352aed915d5c7f4bf498/IPO-Steering-Board-minutes-30-January-2019.pdf) (PDF, 376 KB, 5 pages)
2018
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 28 November 2018 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5c669c5aed915d4a343cb99e/ipo-steering-board-minutes-28-november-2018.pdf) (PDF, 366 KB, 5 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 31 July 2018 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5c0fbb19e5274a0bfc8a70be/Steering-Board-Minutes-31-July-2018.pdf) (PDF, 73.5 KB, 6 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 31 May 2018 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5be0366a40f0b604c46bed55/IPO_Steering_Board_minutes_31_May_2018.pdf) (PDF, 148 KB, 6 pages)
- IPO Steering Board minutes 28 March, 2018 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b3a2d81ed915d33da5293b0/Steering-Board-minutes-March-2018_.pdf) (PDF, 68.8 KB, 4 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 31 January 2018 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b3a2a6ce5274a6fe5e80536/Steering-Board-minutes-January-2018.pdf) (PDF, 82.5 KB, 5 pages)
2017
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 30 November 2017 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b3a2c99ed915d33d8792eb3/Steering-Board-minutes-November-2017.pdf) (PDF, 62.4 KB, 7 pages)
- IPO Steering Board minutes, 26 July 2017 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b3b31fde5274a6ff7d90569/Steering-Board-minutes-July-2017.pdf.pdf) (PDF, 57.7 KB, 6 pages)
- IPO Steering Board minutes, 1 June 2017 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b3a329b40f0b646174c04a1/Steering-Board-minutes-June-2017.pdf) (PDF, 94.8 KB, 7 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 30 March 2017 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b3a29d6e5274a6ffcc0c37e/Steering-Board-minutes-March-2017.pdf) (PDF, 79.3 KB, 5 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 31 January 2017 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b3a2aafe5274a701279ada0/Steering-Board-minutes-January-2017.pdf) (PDF, 77.9 KB, 5 pages)
2016
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 29 November 2016 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b3a298b40f0b64600ef4b9e/Steering-Board-minutes-November-2016.pdf) (PDF, 86 KB, 6 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 28 July 2016 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7f13fded915d74e62283f9/Steering-Board-minutes-July16.pdf) (PDF, 88.2 KB, 6 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 26 May 2016 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a804083e5274a2e87db8bd1/IPO_Steering_Board_minutes_26_May_2016.pdf) (PDF, 82.3 KB, 5 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 5 April 2016 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a81545ce5274a2e8ab53652/IPO_Steering_Board_minutes_5_April_2016.pdf) (PDF, 82.9 KB, 6 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 27 January 2016 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a803b4e40f0b623026924b3/IPO_Steering_Board_minutes_27_January_2016.pdf) (PDF, 65.7 KB, 6 pages)
2015
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 25 November 2015 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a80b4ad40f0b6230269509d/IPO-Steering-Board-minutes-25-November-2015.pdf) (PDF, 259 KB, 6 pages)
- IPO Steering Board minutes: 22 July 2015 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a819b52ed915d74e62332c5/IPO_Steering_Board_minutes_22_July_2015.pdf) (PDF, 208 KB, 5 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 20 May 2015 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a80e5c2e5274a2e87dbc701/Steering_Board_Final_Note_20_05_15.pdf) (PDF, 151 KB, 5 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 31 March 2015 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a80d01d40f0b62302695a36/Steering_Board_Notes_31_March_2015.pdf) (PDF, 166 KB, 8 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes, 28 January 2015 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7f5c06ed915d74e33f5f27/steer-minutes-280115.pdf) (PDF, 201 KB, 13 pages)
2014
- IPO Steering Board: minutes 19 November 2014 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a755fcded915d6faf2b27cc/IPO_Steering_Board_minutes__19_November_2014.pdf) (PDF, 260 KB, 10 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes 16 July 2014 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a805ee640f0b62305b8ac24/IPO_Steering_Board_minutes__16_July_2014.pdf) (PDF, 167 KB, 8 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes 21 May 2014 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7f751aed915d74e622a92d/IPO_Steering_Board_minutes__21_May_2014.pdf) (PDF, 246 KB, 8 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes 11 March 2014 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7f236ced915d74e33f4928/IPO_Steering_Board_minutes__11_March_2014.pdf) (PDF, 236 KB, 7 pages)
- IPO Steering Board: minutes; 30 January 2014 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a80272de5274a2e8ab4e7e5/IPO_Steering_Board_minutes__30_January_2014.pdf) (PDF, 259 KB, 11 pages)
Previous minutes

Steering Board minutes from 2008 onwards are available in the National Archives (http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.ipo.gov.uk/about/whatwedo/steer/steer-minutes.htm) and to request a copy of minutes from a previous meeting, please email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Steering Board members

Members of the board are:
- Harry Rich, Chair of IPO Non-executive Board, Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists, Chair of the Valuation Tribunal Service
- Clem Brohier, Independent IPO Board Member, a qualified accountant and Bursar and Fellow of Mansfield College, Oxford University
- Laurie Benson, Independent IPO Board member, Chair of Audit Committee at Christie Group plc, and member of Board of Trustees for The Royal Air Force
- Harriet Kelsall, Independent IPO Board member, bespoke designer and business trailblazer working in the UK jewellery industry
- Hilary Newiss, Independent IPO Board member, lawyer and former partner in a City law firm, specialising in Intellectual Property, Trustee of the Natural History Museum
- Catherine Salway, Independent IPO Board Member, previously a Board Director within the Virgin Group
- Kirsty Whitehead, Independent IPO Board Member, Director for Monamy Trustees Limited
- Timothy Render, Independent IPO Board Member, Panel member for the Office for the Internal Market
- Adam Williams, Chief Executive and Comptroller General, Intellectual Property Office
- Andy Bartlett, Deputy CEO and Director of Services
- Alex Jones, Director General Department of Science, Innovation and Technology. The Director General provides a designated deputy
IPO Audit and Risk Committee

The audit committee is a sub-committee of our Steering Board and has no executive powers. The committee looks at our corporate governance, accounts, internal audits and external audits, and assesses how well we are meeting the requirements that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) places on executive agencies.
- Audit and risk committee terms of reference (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63246c33e90e07737412d571/Audit-and-Risk-Committee-Terms-of-Reference.pdf) (PDF, 248 KB, 5 pages)
Committee meetings

The committee meets 4 times a year. To a request a copy of minutes from a previous meeting, email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Committee members

Members of the committee are:
- Clem Brohier, Chair
- Chris Pleass, Independent Member, Director of Corporate Services, Electoral Commission
- Harriet Kelsall, Independent member, bespoke designer and business trailblazer working in the UK jewellery industry
- Kirsty Whitehead Independent Member, Director for Monamy Trustees Limited
The obligatory attendees are:
- Adam Williams, Intellectual Property Office, Chief Executive and Accounting Officer
- Andy Bartlett, Deputy CEO and Director of Services
- Neil Hartley, Intellectual Property Office Finance Director
Attendees by invitation are:
- Government Internal Audit Agency
- National Audit Office
- Head of Governance and Risk
- DSIT Representatives
- External Auditors
- Intellectual Property Office Executive Directors