francis preedy Trade Mark Attorney Executive +44 (0)20  3102 9009 francis.preedy@hallmark-ip.com Joined HallMark IP in 1996 and is a member of the Executive.

education and qualifications

BSc. Chemistry and Law, Exeter University
B.A. Law, Exeter University

Trade Mark Attorney, by Examination 1993, MITMA
European Trade Mark Attorney

professional experience

Having graduated from Exeter University, Francis began his professional career at McKennas Solicitors, at that time the only major firm of solicitors with a dedicated trade mark department.

 

The McKennas practice was subsequently transferred to D Young & Co., patent and trade mark attorneys, where Francis remained until he joined the in-house trade mark department of  Shell International Petroleum Company Limited in 1988.

 

During his time at Shell Francis was responsible for all aspects of trade mark protection worldwide on the chemical side of the group and also had responsibility for trade mark matters on the petroleum side for the whole of the former Eastern Bloc countries.  He was at Shell for eight years before joining HallMark IP.

 

Francis was elected to the Council of the Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (ITMA) in 1994.  On the Council he was instrumental in developing the ITMA Formalities Course, aimed at providing support staff with a high level of knowledge of the issues surrounding trade mark protection, and having their expertise recognised.  In addition to the Formalities Course Committee, Francis currently serves on the committees for Continuing Professional Development and the Institute Newsletter.

languages

Franglais.

personal interests

Francis comes from a very musical background and, following a "brief" interruption, his hobby is once again a major part of his life now that each of his three children have taken up musical instruments. 

 

He also enjoys sports, in particular rugby, cricket and football supporting Bath, Surrey and Chelsea respectively.   Why his sons have decided to support Charlton is a mystery, but then Francis was a Chelsea fan when the club was in the second division and bought by Ken Bates for £1.  Like father, like sons!