Dr Karl Barnfather is a leading European patent attorney and strategic IP adviser with over three decades of experience guiding innovation at the highest levels. Recognised throughout the industry for his deep expertise in electronics, software, telecommunications, and AI, he has advised many of the worldu2019s most innovative companies on how to secure, enforce, and commercialise high-value intellectual property. Formerly Chair at a leading European IP firm, Dr Barnfather now leads Barnfather IP, a high-impact firm focused on protecting high-tech innovation globally and before the European Patent Office (EPO).

She started her IP career over twenty years ago and qualified as a European Patent Attorney (EPA) and Chartered Patent Attorney (CPA) in private practice in London, building on a Masters in Physics with Medical Physics from the University of Bristol. After nearly a decade in and around Grayu2019s Inn, Mrs Derham moved from private practice to industry, which has taken her from the South East of England (in high-tech) to the South East of France, where she works for Amadeus, a travel technology company. Mrs Derham is the head of Intellectual Property, overseeing teams looking after all aspects of IP in Amadeus from M&A to patent portfolio building.

Dr. Nikos Minas leads the global IP function at WESCO, overseeing all aspects of intellectual property, from innovation protection and trade secrets to brand strategy and M&A. He also leads the companyu2019s Legal AI practice and is a core member of its AI Council, shaping how AI is embedded across legal and business operations. Nikos holds a PhD in Electronics Engineering and has worked on advanced semiconductor technologies that underpin todayu2019s AI ecosystem. He is also a certified patent attorney.

Professor Roya Ghafele is the founder and Managing Director of OxFirst, (www.oxfirst.com) an award-winning law and economics consultancy specialised in the valuation of patents, copyright and other forms of Intellectual Property Rights for litigation, licensing, investment and sales purposes. Her economic assessments have found application in expert testimonials in Court and Arbitration proceedings and IP management.