The TEAM
Maria Jones - Founder
Maria is a visionary and is hugely passionate about the importance of technical creativity and appreciates the importance of contributing to innovation whilst registering and protecting her designs both in the EU and globally. Maria has registered hundreds of designs, some of which have been developed by major technical giants, including one of her first registered designs in 2009 and published as a Community design showing the GUI page turner for an electronic device which went on to be a huge success for Apple Inc. Maria’s registered design is noted as foreign patent on Apple Inc.’s page turner design patent in the US. Maria, a wife and Grandmother has overcome many personal obstacles and challenges whilst bringing up a family and has built an extensive multi-million-pound IP portfolio and continues to be revolutionary and inspirational whilst encouraging new and existing designers to value and protect their creativity work and innovation. Maria has a current nomination in play to receive this year’s ‘lifetime of achievement award’ from the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO).
Paul Fraine - Senior Business Advisor
Paul is a financially focused and highly motivated Commercial Director with over 30 years’ experience in business leadership, equity investment and senior financial management within various tech sectors. Paul has managed multiple international operations, financially and commercially, working extensively across the UK, Australia, Asia and North America. Deploying rigid financial controls and effective management structures whilst applying a diligent and driven focus to strategy execution which has led to significant turnarounds for challenged organisations. Paul is able to add value through strategic guidance, funding and investment, mentoring, goal setting, technology led process implementations overlaid with strong financial governance combined with a calm and common sense approach to acute business issues. Domestically and Internationally Paul has lead a number of successful domestic and international M&A projects including the management and negotiation of all contracts, agreements and deep dive due diligence, as well as post-deal restructuring and consolidation programmes.