Dave always offers additional foresight to my thoughts and project ideas to help me overcome hurdles before I even arrive at the problem. When I talk to Dave, I know I should be ready to be pushed out of my comfort zone. Also, his brain is kinda cool!

As a science writer, it’s easy to get caught up in whether you have worded things ‘right or wrong’. Talking things through with Dave has helped me realise there are many ways to say things, but the best way is always subjective. So while a second opinion doesn’t hurt, it is just that – an opinion. Write with clarity and all will be fine… Hopefully!

When I first met David, I had graduated from the University of Nottingham with a PhD in genetic engineering and had started working in a young biotech start-up. We had just finished refining our inventions and filed three patent applications to help reducing the costs of complex medicines in low-income countries. At the time, a wish to transition into a new role as IP Analyst became increasingly clear to me.

David’s mentorship helped me to consolidate my previous experiences into a tangible strategy forward, for myself and for the firm. With his help, I brought together all the lessons learnt from helping to scale a start-up, in applying my scientific know-how to our fledging processes, and tie it all together into a comprehensive plan for growth in a way that reflects my core values.

Conversations with David helped me gain insight and clarity regarding those values – most of all fairness, transparency, and accuracy. I believe I have succeeded in leading by example and impact my firm’s internal culture positively.

David’s mentorship was inspirational for pushing myself and my team for excellence. He encouraged me to keep pursuing a long-held desire to shape cutting-edge biotech as Intellectual Property counsel. As a German-Mexican, I’m non-native in a language that requires its application at the absolute highest level of precision. I was keenly aware concluding the career path I had chosen would not be easy.

I am therefore very thankful for David’s guidance. It galvanised my resolve through each step of the journey so far. I recently succeeded in passing my foundational exams in IP, the first step towards becoming a patent attorney in the UK.

David has mentored me for almost 3 years. As a project manager and business development analyst my conversations with David have personally helped me to achieve clarity in my professional and personal life. He is a fantastic listener and thought-provoker, with extensive life-science/biotech knowledge and experience.

Working on the commercial side of a small biotech company, our conversations have garnered great value for me because of David’s nous for finding the fine balance of tailoring scientific marketing and communications to a wider non-technical audience. He has supported and helped me to grow in confidence as I start my professional career.