John Alty has been named chief executive and comptroller general of the UK’s Intellectual Property Office. Alty was previously director general for fair markets at the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). The IPO is within the BIS and is responsible for the national framework of Intellectual Property rights, comprising patents, designs, trademarks and copyright.

Alty is expected to promote the Government’s innovation agenda, supporting creativity in the UK.

“I am delighted to be taking up the chief executive post at the IPO,” said Alty. “The IPO plays an essential role in supporting BIS’ aims of delivering economic growth and business success through supporting innovation. Our IP framework is important to all of us as consumers of goods and services.”

Alty succeeds Ian Fletcher, who held the position of chief executive from April 2007 to October 2009.