Spruson & Ferguson is pleased to announce the appointment of David Kennedy as Managing Director of the Australian business with effect from 30 August 2021.

David is a highly accomplished professional services leader, a qualified mechanical engineer, and an experienced patent and trade mark attorney. With more than 30 years' experience working in intellectual property across Australia, North America, and Europe, David brings a unique combination of leadership, IP knowledge, and commercial skills to the Managing Director role of Spruson & Ferguson Australia.

Chief Executive Officer of the IPH Group, Dr Andrew Blattman said, "David's mix of local and international leadership experience is a great fit for Spruson & Ferguson's regional remit and global client base. The brand is entering an exciting new chapter merging with Shelston IP later this year, and we are delighted to have a leader of his calibre at the helm as the brand expands its presence."

David has an impressive track record of leading, growing, and developing IP businesses. Prior to joining Spruson & Ferguson, David held the position of Managing Director, ANZ at CPA Global, a leading global provider of IP administrative services and software.

"With the IPH group's growing focus on greater digital enablement, David's experience in founding and scaling successful, high-growth tech-enabled service companies, coupled with his experience as an IP practitioner will play an important role in influencing how work and engagement with clients evolves," Andrew said.

David's career spans the establishment and building of a successful firm of patent and trade mark attorneys with offices throughout the UK before subsequently founding and leading a Glasgow based IP renewals business with jurisdictional interests in 200 countries globally.

David said, "Spruson & Ferguson is a leading intellectual property firm with an extensive history. I am very honoured to have the opportunity to serve in this role, supporting such an excellent team of professionals and a prestigious list of clients across the world."

IPH recently  announced that Spruson & Ferguson (Australia) and Shelston IP will join under the Spruson & Ferguson brand. The full integration is expected to be completed in December this year.