Luke Minford Has Been Appointed Rouse ’s UK Head

19 October 2012

Former Rouse China country manager Luke Minford has been appointed the firm’s UK head. Prior to moving to the UK, Minford spent 14 years as an IP specialist in China, including six of which were spent as the China country manager. During his leadership, Rouse’s China IP practice grew to more than 200 staff. “Many of my peers in China have questioned why I would move to the UK when ‘it’s all happening here in China’,” says Minford. “I firmly believe that the UK has an opportunity to once again lead IP strategy and service around the world. The key is in building the right connections between the UK and the rest of the world, especially China, and that is where I think I can make a difference.” Minford’s previous role as Rouse China country manager was filled earlier this year by Linda Chang, a trademark attorney who has been with Rouse’s Shanghai office for more than a decade. The firm’s executive team in China was bolstered further last month with the move to Beijing of UK litigator Tim Smith, who joined Rouse from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industries (IFPI) in 2008.