What’s with the sudden boom in regional IP roles?
Fellows and Associates’ researcher Louisa Stokoe ponders over the recent notable increase in regional IP roles and considers what it might mean for the sector overall.
Since I joined Fellows and Associates a mere two months ago there has been a continuous and steady stream of regional/outer London positions on the job board, so I assumed that is was nothing out of the ordinary. However I am told by my colleagues that this is not actually the case, and that they have noticed a substantial increase in regional roles over the last few months, both for attorneys and support staff alike. In fact, around two thirds of positions we are working on at the moment are either based outside of London or at least have an option to be. Interestingly, overseas roles also seem to be on the up and we have a number of interesting non-attorney roles based in Brussels and across the Atlantic.
As an example, we are currently working with Dyson to find a finalist level or qualified electronics/engineering patent attorney. I mean, what is there not to get excited about? It is a unique opportunity to work for a leading British Institution, at a time when they are experiencing significant growth and development. The role isn’t in London; it is based in Malmesbury, which is in the Cotswolds, which is quite frankly idyllic. We also have a number of Glasgow based support roles with a leading international law firm, including an IP filings assistant, a renewals assistant, and a records assistant.
So what exactly is going on? Here at Fellows and Associates, we can’t seem to identify an individual attributing factor. We have however seen a general increase across the board in IP roles, particularly for but not restricted to patent attorneys. Perhaps the increase in regional roles is reflective of a broader growth trend, or maybe there just isn’t room left to accommodate people in the Capital?
Of course, any growth in the IP sector can only be a good thing for a recruiter. However on occasion, trying to place candidates outside of London can be like attempting to sell water to a whale. We ask ourselves therefore: ‘why is it sometimes so difficult to sell regional roles and what is it about London that has everyone hooked?’.
Why are candidates sometimes reluctant to consider non-London roles?
Right off the bat, one might be inclined to speculate that London is the first choice for many candidates due the higher salaries that roles in the city command. If anything though, that is merely a misconception. Whilst undoubtedly it may be true of a number of other professions, our recent salary survey demonstrated that where attorneys are concerned, location just doesn’t seem to make that much of a difference.
Our full salary survey is available to view here.
Another possibility comes again in the form of a misconception. Candidates often express their desire to work in London based on the size and prestige of the clients that firms in the city can offer. Whist this may sometimes be the case, it is not uncommon for the more high-status client work to be largely foreign in nature, which can leave little or no room for direct client contact. On the other hand, many of the regional roles that we recruit for offer a greater variety of work. Smaller local clients as well as universities provide great opportunities for candidates to take a hands on approach to their client work – experience which is often invaluable.
So what are the benefits of working outside of London?
Well there are many. But here are just a few that spring to mind:
- As stated, there appears to be little or no difference in salary, and any perceived short fall would surely be balanced by the decreased cost of living outside of the Capital
- As discussed, the client work whilst maybe small scale is likely to be hands on and varied
- With the average London ‘super commute’ coming in at a whopping 74.2 minutes which is far above the national average, is it actually worth the effort?
- Cheaper house prices mean that you can easily live in a property with more than one level, and could even have room left for a dog…or some chickens…or some children!
The benefits of working in London
The concentration of firms in London and the fact that it is home to Queen Mary University makes it the IP hub of the UK. Therefore as well as the nightlife and amenities that London offers, the opportunity for new friendships and a network of peers is second to none; factors that are likely to be of a particular importance to those just starting out. Nevertheless, there are regular trains into London from across the country to attend IP events, so another large UK city may well be able to provide a similarly rewarding experience at a fraction of the price.
The job market in London remains steady as always, and there is rarely any issue filling London based positions. For example, as a result of expansion as opposed to replacements, we have a number of fantastic biotechnology opportunities with top tier firms in the city, including a Partner/Partner designate position with Elkington and Fife and a finalist level or qualified role with Mathys & Squire.
I understand that many of our candidates love London and consider it home, so they wouldn’t dream of moving. Whilst London isn’t for everyone, it is certainly everything for some.
Disclaimer: All anti London views and opinions expressed in this article are those of my own, and don’t necessarily reflect those of Fellows and Associates. I am admittedly biased. I have never really been a fan of London. Recent experiences have confirmed to me that there is far too much pushing, questionable driving, and apartment blocks for my liking; although the choice of drinking and dining establishments is admittedly unrivalled.