Our People

Alistair Hindle MA (Cantab) PhD CPA EPA MITMA

Alistair was schooled in Edinburgh and obtained both a degree in Natural Sciences (Physics) and a PhD from the University of Cambridge. Before becoming a Patent Attorney, Alistair worked as a research scientist for a Cambridge-based technology company.

Alistair began his career in intellectual property in Glasgow in 1998. He then spent a number of years working for a leading firm of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys in Cambridge before returning to Edinburgh to found Hindle Lowther (now Alistair Hindle & Associates). He has considerable experience in the drafting of new patent applications, prosecuting applications throughout the world, providing opinions and supporting clients through contentious matters where required. He has a wide technical background and advises in a broad range of technologies, with an emphasis on engineering, electronics, computer software and medical devices.

Jo Bradley MA (Cantab) PhD CPA EPA

Jo is a chemistry specialist who joined Alistair Hindle & Associates in 2012 from a leading London practice, where she was a Partner. She has an MA in Natural Sciences (Chemistry) and a PhD from the University of Cambridge (an ammonia oxidation study on single crystal platinum using supersonic molecular beams).

Jo has over 15 years' experience working in the patent profession. This has included working in-house for BP Chemicals and in private practice in London. Jo has experience working with clients ranging from universities and technology transfer organisations to SMEs and multinational corporations. Jo has worked for clients in the fuel additives, petrochemicals, polymers, fibre glass, biosensors, batteries and fuel cells, pharmaceutical and hair dye industries. As well as patent drafting and prosecution work, Jo has considerable experience in opposition and appeal work before the European Patent Office and in providing infringement and validity advice. Jo is a regular visitor to the US and to Japan.

Andrew McGettrick MEng PhD EPA

Andrew has an MEng in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from the University of Strathclyde, and a PhD which was sponsored by Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems Ltd. He started his career as a patent attorney at a large practice in the South West of England and joined Alistair Hindle & Associates from another Scottish firm in 2012. He has considerable experience of drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the electronics, engineering and software fields and has worked closely with a number of leading technology companies to advise on a wide range of intellectual property issues. Andrew also has experience of litigation support, opposition work before the European Patent Office and due diligence.

Christopher Mellor MChem (Oxon) DPhil AMRSC

Christopher has both an honours degree in chemistry and a DPhil from the University of Oxford . He works with inventions in a range of technical disciplines including chemistry, biotechnology and optics. Prior to entering the patent profession, Christopher worked at the MRC National Institute for Medical Research carrying out post doctoral research into the behaviour and properties of motor proteins using fluorescence microscopy.

Matthew Farrow MEng MA (Cantab) CPA EPA

Matthew has worked as a patent attorney since 1999, predominantly at leading London practices. He has a MEng MA from the University of Cambridge and has particular expertise in relation to computer-implemented inventions and US patent practice. Prior to entering the patent attorney profession, Matthew worked as a software developer in the telecommunications industry.

Rowena Bercow MA MITMA

Rowena's early career in trade marks was spent in London where she trained and qualified with leading trade marks practices. She also worked for solicitors and gained useful litigation experience. She has wide-ranging experience in all aspects of trade marks work and speaks French, which is useful with regard to International and European trade mark matters. Since moving out of London in 2003 she has worked as a consultant for firms in Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire, and has now joined us after recently moving north.

Alexandra Ploetz

Alex is a patent administrator with over 20 years experience, who manages our formalities and records systems. She was originally trained in Germany and is a qualified Patentanwaltsfachangestellte. Alex worked at a number of leading German and UK patent practices before joining Alistair Hindle & Associates in 2011.