People: Promotion for Intellectual Property specialist; Diocesan appointment for lawyer; and more

Intellectual property specialist Ben Clay has been promoted to partner at Yorkshire law firm Lupton Fawcett.

Clay helps clients to obtain, exploit and enforce all forms of IP as well as defending them from any claims of infringement.

He joined Lupton Fawcett in May 2017 after spending eight years working for the UK’s largest dairy company Arla Foods where he gained first-hand experience of a broad range of commercial and legal issues faced by the food industry including brand management and advertising.

He recently demonstrated his expertise in advertising regulation when he addressed the Gambling Related Harm All Party Parliamentary Group in Westminster.

In addition to his IP and food sector experience, Clay provides advice on other commercial arrangements, from the drafting and negotiation of many forms of contract to compliance with legal requirements.

Clive Lawrence, head of intellectual property and commercial law, said: “Ben’s considerable knowledge and expertise in IP adds strength and depth to the first-class advice we provide to clients, and offers real world experience of the strategic and commercial considerations of their businesses.”

Clay said: “The move from industry back into private practice isn’t a common one, but I think my new role is a testament to how well it has gone and the benefits of my in-house experience to both the firm and its clients.”

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The Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu has appointed Louise Connacher of Lupton Fawcett as registrar for the Diocese of York and legal secretary to the Archbishop.

Connacher has spent the past seven months as acting registrar, following the sudden death of previous incumbent and Lupton Fawcett lawyer Caroline Mockford in March this year.

She has more than 25 years’ experience as a lawyer, primarily in the areas of employment and ecclesiastical law. She acts for individual clients on matters including safeguarding, clergy discipline and data protection and delivers seminars and training for ecclesiastical clients.

She is also registrar of the Diocese of Sodor and Man, which covers the Isle of Man, and a deputy registrar in the Dioceses of Leeds and Blackburn.

Archbishop Sentamu said: “Louise has done exceptional work and has been a great blessing to the Diocese in these difficult months while we, and she, came to terms with the sudden death of Caroline Mockford.

“It’s a great blessing to be able to confirm her appointment now and I know that she will continue to be a source of wise counsel and sound advice.”

Connacher said: “After 25 years practising primarily as an employment lawyer, I am privileged to serve the church in this exciting and fulfilling role of Diocesan Registrar. I am very much looking forward to continuing to work with the Archbishop and the staff at Bishopthorpe and the Diocesan Office.”

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ProGARM, the East Yorkshire-based supplier of specialist protective clothing, has confirmed the appointment of Zoë Colbeck as garment technologist, as it continues its team expansion.

Following the recent appointment of Dietmar Rohrbach as Business Development Manager in Germany, Colbeck is the newest addition to the team, and brings with her a wealth of experience gained during her 35 years in the textiles industry.

Having previously worked as a garment technologist for fashion industry giants such as JD Williams and Matalan, her main responsibilities at ProGARM will include designing new products, quality checking prototypes, creating mock-ups and working closely with the testing and pattern departments.

Colbeck said: “I’m so pleased to be joining the ProGARM team. I couldn’t turn down the chance to innovate, develop and create garment technologies and test myself with a new type of challenge.

“I can’t wait to start designing garments that can play such an important role in ensuring workers’ safety, and ultimately saving lives.

“The main challenge in my new role will be getting under the skin of the different industry standards and regulations surrounding Arc Flash Personal Protective Equipment, (PPE) but it’s something I can’t wait to get stuck in to.”

The company, which is located in Gilberdyke, makes clothing designed to protect workers from a type electrical explosion known as an Arc Flash.

Adrian Jaoudat, product manager at ProGARM, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Zoë to the team and believe with her vast experience in the industry, she will make a very valuable addition to ProGARM.

“We’re always looking to grow and improve as a company and by appointing experienced garment technologists like Zoë, we believe this will help us achieve that goal.

“Arc Flash remains a very real danger facing those working in industrial sectors globally. As a result of this, we’re committed to ensuring our protective garments are always one step ahead of the curve in their design, to provide truly comprehensive protection to wearers.”