Mark graduated from the University of Sheffield with a first class degree in Chemistry and a PhD in Computational Biochemistry, which involved the use of a computational genetic algorithm to develop a model to predict the structure of different DNA sequences and explore their binding to different proteins.

Mark has an unusually broad technical spread to his practice, having extensive experience in both chemical inventions in the fields of chemical engineering, cleantech, fuel cells, nanotechnology and materials science, and mechanical engineering, with a particular focus on automotive and aerospace engineering, medical and surgical equipment, and components for use in the Energy sector. Mark has a passion for the development of more sustainable technologies and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys Sustainability Committee.

Mark has experience of examination, opposition and appeal hearings at the European Patent Office, as well as contentious matters in other jurisdictions, such as Inter Partes Review proceedings at the US Patent & Trade Mark Office.

Mark is the relationship partner for some of the firm’s largest corporate clients, including a major multi-national power company and one of the world’s largest energy companies. Mark also has a great deal of experience of supporting start-ups and University spin-out companies to develop legally robust and commercially relevant IP portfolios to enable them to secure multiple rounds of funding, from seed corn through to flotation (IPO) to multi-million dollar legal settlements.

Mark has travelled extensively throughout his career, particularly in the US and China. He regularly presents on European IP topics of relevance to local audiences. He has developed an extensive network of US and Chinese-based clients, both direct corporate clients and private practice law firms. He is a member of the firm’s Chinese business development group and leads the firm’s US business development group.