claude kaplan

Benchmark is a pioneering company in the aquaculture, agriculture and animal health sectors. With five divisions and bases in 27 countries, Benchmark engages with major industries to help repair and build a global food chain that is more efficient, economical, ethical and environmentally friendly, and that can serve the future of humanity. Benchmark’s success can be attributed to the early decision to participate in the aquaculture, sustainability and technical knowledge sectors. This, coupled with a high level of reinvestment and management’s ability to move quickly to grab opportunities, has allowed Benchmark to position itself as a leader. I am focused on ensuring that Benchmark most effectively secures, manages and utilises the intellectual property (IP) developed and acquired across its businesses. My key goal is to ensure that we develop and implement an IP strategy that aligns with the R&D, strategic and business unit strategies to ensure that Benchmark deliver its overall strategic aims

Animal Health Science UK Ltd (trading as SinoVet) is focused on developing, registering and transferring new and existing livestock vaccines, state-of-the-art vaccine technology and diagnostics into China. The company has successfully transferred a number of vaccines and diagnostics from international companies and academia to several of the largest vaccine manufacturers in China. My role was to identify and secure vaccine / diagnostic assets and, through working with our office in Beijing, transfer those technologies to Chinese companies.

IP Pragmatics is a specialist intellectual property exploitation consultancy focusing on the commercialisation of IP from government research institutes, universities and companies. The company has established a strong client base across UK, EU, Japan, NZ, Aus and US in the animal health, food, plant health, diagnostics, microbiology and associated sectors. My key roles were to manage IPPL's IP consulting team, build relationships with key industry and public sector players and identify new business development opportunities.

For 5 years I was seconded to UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), the government organisation that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy and encourages overseas companies to invest in the UK. My role as a Life Science Investment Specialist was to increase investment in life science based R&D in the UK by global multinational companies. Over those 5 years I successfully secured over 40 new investments into UK, with a combined investment of >$200m

Well Cow Ltd was a joint venture I founded between a world renowned UK research institute, Silsoe Research Institute, and a leading technology and innovation consultancy, The Technology Partnership (TTP). Established in 2002 to commercialise Silsoe's and TTP's IP portfolio in animal health diagnostics I transferred to the company in April 2004 having been previously part-time seconded to build the business plan. I took full responsibility for developing the company's strategy, refining the business plan and product roadmap as well as identifying and securing necessary financing from trade investors, VCs and government.

The Technology Partnership (TTP) is Europe's leading technology and innovation consultancy. TTP's Strategy group is focused on providing a broad range of services to companies looking to improve the exploitation of their R&D, IP and technology assets. I undertook a diverse range of assignments in areas such as identifying new research opportunities, IP commercialisation, formulating business and strategic marketing plans, innovation management and technology strategy management.