Tuesday 13th October 2026, 5.15pm
Stopping Britain’s Innovation Brain Drain – How innovation ownership can help Britain build more world-leading businesses
In partnership with the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA)

The UK is a global leader in scientific research and technological innovation, but it struggles to convert this strength into long-term domestic economic value. Parliamentary inquiries have repeatedly highlighted the problem, warning that promising UK technology businesses are frequently acquired by overseas investors or move abroad to access the finance needed to scale.

CIPA’s analysis of international Patent Cooperation Treaty applications between 2015 and 2025 provides new evidence of an “innovation ownership gap”. While UK inventors generate significant numbers of internationally patented inventions, only 70% of these applications are owned by UK applicant organisations, with 30% filed by overseas companies. This makes the UK an outlier compared with many leading innovation economies and suggests that Britain is less successful at retaining ownership of intellectual property as technologies move towards international commercialisation. IP ownership can influence where investment, manufacturing, skilled jobs, licensing income and taxable profits ultimately reside.

CIPA argues that the challenge is not a shortage of invention, but Britain’s ability to protect, finance, commercialise and scale innovation domestically. Many innovative SMEs do not seek patent protection because of cost, complexity and uncertainty, despite the patent profession already providing substantial free support to inventors and businesses.

CIPA recommends a more joined-up government approach: a dedicated IP Minister with cross-government responsibility; earlier and better-integrated IP guidance within business, investment and export support; and stronger assistance for innovative SMEs, including subsidised UK IPO fees and guidance on building international patent portfolios. The objective is to ensure that more of the intellectual property, businesses, investment, skilled employment and economic value generated by British innovation remains anchored in the UK.

Speakers

• Fhaheen Khan, Senior Economist at manufacturers’ organisation Make UK
• Matt Dixon, former President of CIPA and Executive Chair at Beck Greener LLP
• Dr Atif Syed, engineer and deep-tech entrepreneur; Founder and former CEO of Wootzano Ltd; Principal of Syhab; and Founder of Dr Syed & Partners