Upgrade your career with IPI - Training Courses for Industry Professionals

Richard Featherstone was one of the early pioneers of applying human factors research methods to combination products, having set up Medical Device Usability in 2008. Richard has been designing and conducting human factors studies for over 15 years, and his experience includes a wide range of drug delivery technologies including inhalers, auto-injectors, nasal sprays and associated devices such as tele-health systems. Following his most recent role as Research Director in Human Factors for Emergo by UL, Richard is now providing freelance consultancy and training services. Richard has advised some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical and medical device companies as well as small start-ups. Over 15 years of human factors work has meant that Richard has built a considerable body of knowledge of the regulatory requirements for usability testing, in particular in a European context.

Arnaud Gasnier is founder and CEO of Patentopolis BV. With 20 years experience in IP, he has practiced globally in various IP (patents, trademarks) departments and in various leading roles (Patent Attorney, Licensing Associate, Portfolio Manager, Associate General Counsel) for Swatch, Philips, adidas and Dutch contract research organisation TNO.

In 2004-2008 he carried out a PhD research project (sponsored by the European Patent Office) on IP management (strategies and tactics, performance measurement, effective in-house interventions). Arnaud is a regular speaker at international conferences and the author of ‘The Patenting Paradox’.

He holds a Master of Science in physics, a Master of IP law from a US law school, and an Executive MBA from London Business School. He is also a qualified European Patent Attorney. In 2015, 2016 and 2017 Patentopolis and Arnaud won IP Awards for best IP management, attributed by Acquisition International based on a survey among professionals in the industry. A practical and creative thinker with a multi-disciplinary mind-set, Arnaud enjoys working across borders in terms of disciplines and cultures, and assisting established firms, SMEs and ventures with fostering value creation and capture with IP for long-term benefits and growth.

Find out more about Patentopolis HERE.

Arun Singh (Prof) OBE, FRSA is an international lawyer and consultant to an international law firm. He was formerly a partner and head of commercial law at KPMG Legal and partner at Masons (now Pinsent Masons).

Arun has advised on disputes and collaborations in a wide range of jurisdictions including Europe, countries in West and East Africa, India, Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Pakistan, Libya, Jordan, Syria, the US, Caribbean, Russia, Israel, Lebanon, Egypt, Thailand and Singapore. Arun is cited and ranked in the Chambers Guide to the world’s leading lawyers. He concentrates on international investment, joint ventures, licensing of technology, research and development, M&A, energy, outsourcing and corporate governance in developed and emerging markets; he also handles international legal risk management matters. Arun advises a range of international organisations and is a visiting professor in International Business, Leadership and Negotiations at Salford University Business School, senior associate at Oxford University’s Institute of Legal Practice and teaches international leadership and negotiations at the University of Cambridge. He has facilitated programmes in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the US.

He is a recognised corporate educator and a non-executive director of two international investment companies – one of which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, chairing the Audit Committee and Investment Committee.

He was appointed an OBE by HM the Queen in January 1999 for services to international trade, investment and intercultural management. Arun is an editor and contributor to a number of publications including Business and Contract Law (a Thorogood Special Report) and How to Lead Smart People – Leadership for Professionals (Profile Books), a facilitator for company programmes and an experienced speaker at international corporate conferences.

TszWai Woo is a regulatory specialist at IVDeology Ltd. She brings her exceptional regulatory experience from 16 years within the IVD industry to support IVD manufacturers navigate the IVD regulations including CE IVDD, CE IVDR, UKCA and ISO13485 Quality Management Systems

With over thirty years’ experience of working in and with the public, corporate, and charitable sectors, Claire has expertise in providing strategic, analytical, emotionally intelligent solutions that engender, inform, facilitate and embed growth through compassionate leadership.

Extending from post-doctoral studies on neurology, specifically the link between emotional intelligence and cognitive intelligence, Claire has written, presented, and worked at a national, European, and international level and has published several research papers and books.

In her previous time as a CEO of various charities, she has practical experience in the art of compassionate leadership and has developed a real passion for helping individuals and organisations to optimise their growth potential.

In addition to her work as a facilitator, delivering sessions and presenting, Claire also works as an independent consultant providing emotionally intelligent strategic solutions, embedding compassionate leadership and maximising growth.

In her spare time, Claire runs for mental health and wellbeing, including running marathons and ultra marathons.

Hélène Russell, founder of The Knowledge Business, is a UK solicitor (non-practising) and specialist in Knowledge, Learning and Innovation. After 8 years in practice, primarily in clinical negligence litigation defence, she has worked as a self-employed knowledge management consultant for 13 years. Hélène specialises in practical tools to improve the efficiency and profitability of real-life law firms.

Hélène has extensive experience in business strategy, project management and teaching leadership skills. She runs a popular 'KM Strategy + coaching' course in UK and has written short form and lengthy strategies for a variety of law firms, as well, of course, as writing her own business’s strategy. Hélène has spoken at various events, including Ark’s KM Legal, Lexpo-18, for UWE, St Andrew’s University, BLS and Allice, and chaired international conferences.

She runs a global online KM training and networking group and is a core committee member organising the annual UK Knowledge Mobilisation Conference and Chair of CILIP’s Knowledge and Information Management Special Interest Group. Hélène has an executive MBA with distinction (which included a strategy module), and she is the sole author of two textbooks, contributor to five of Ark’s multi-author books and is currently contracted to Facet Publishing to write a handbook on KM Strategy.

Dr. Gurpal Singh is an experienced Pharmaceutical Quality Management professional with more than 25 years of experience and a history of success in QA operations management, Quality systems implementation and Continuous improvement. He previously worked in global quality assurance roles within large pharmaceutical companies like MSD and Novartis where he led various quality projects and QA initiatives ensuring compliance with international GxP and regulatory requirements. Gurpal holds a doctorate in Chemistry from Magadh University of India and holds professional certificates in Six Sigma, Quality Auditing and Business Management. He is also a member of International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineering.

Chris Penfold is an experienced Freelance Packaging Development Specialist and Consultant; a self-motivated, achievement oriented, confident and creative leader with a proven track record in general and technical management. He is a packaging professional with over 25 years packaging development and NPD experience working on £million-brands in the OTC, healthcare and Rx pharma arenas for ‘blue-chip’ multinational companies such as Glaxo (GSK), CIBA (Novartis), Boots Healthcare and Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare.

He is an MBA graduate and Chartered Marketer with extensive cross-functional experience in a broad spectrum of related disciplines, including marketing, supply chain, QC and production. An ‘International Player’ with experience working in various European countries, Middle East, North America and extended business trips to the Far East. Underpinned by proven interpersonal skills, the ability to make things happen and experience gained from independent international consultancy projects and running his own business, Design Cognition Ltd.

Barbara Grossman has a passion for proofreading, quality control, and education. She is a biochemist by training and a medical writer, editor and teacher by profession, with 20+ years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Before starting her own medical writing and consultancy business (Hawkeye Medical Limited), she built up and managed the medical writing group at Covance, the contract research organisation, working in a wide range of therapeutic areas. She has given professional development training at educational institutions and organisations such as the DIA (Drug Information Association – Europe and USA), EMWA (European Medical Writers Association) and NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence), and has led many company-internal training courses.

Barbara is an honorary member of EMWA, was Treasurer 1998–2005, has been an EMWA workshop leader since 2001, served on EMWA’s Education Committee 2010–2018, was the Education Officer for 2 years until 2016, and was EMWA's President for 1 year until May 2020. In addition, she is an Associate Editor of Medical Writing, EMWA’s journal.

Ed Jordan is a dynamic keynote speaker and seasoned executive and leadership coach, with over 10 years' experience empowering leaders and organisations to reach their full potential. After 25 years as a TV and radio presenter, multi-platinum recording artist and film composer in South Africa, he joined the corporate sector in 2014 and gained significant experience in financial services, specifically in innovation, wealth and high net worth private banking. He’s worked in 16 countries across the African continent as well as London, Jersey and the Isle of Man.

Ed is now based in the UK and specialises in transformational leadership, executive development, and corporate communication coaching. He is is passionate about inspiring change and fostering growth by delivering engaging keynotes and customized coaching solutions that drive performance and success.