Nicola Hart

Director of IP Business Services

With over thirty years’ experience in both private practice and in-house for a leading pharmaceutical company, Nicola brings extensive expertise across all aspects of intellectual property.

Since joining Appleyard Lees in 2017, Nicola has led the IP Business Services team, working closely with partners and operational managers to shape and deliver a forward-looking strategy for business support across the firm.

In her role as Head of IP Business Services, Nicola oversees all support practice areas – including patents, trade marks and designs, as well as records and renewals. She works collaboratively across the firm to implement best practices and streamlined processes, enhancing both client service and operational efficiency.

Nicola also oversees the development and delivery of in-house training programmes, ensuring internal processes are well-documented and continually updated.

Most recently, she has played a key role in designing and implementing the firm’s Unitary Patent (UP) and Unified Patent Court (UPC) internal processes, including delivering tailored training for both technical and support staff alongside an efficient and effective UPC opt out process.