Meet the IP Professional: Vikki Townsend 

Senior Managing Attorney, Pure Ideas 
By PatWorld 

From Engineering to SME Success

From defense to design, gas turbines to gadgets, Vikki Townsend’s three-decade journey through the world of intellectual property (IP) is as dynamic and multidimensional as the technologies she helps protect. Currently Senior Managing Attorney at Pure Ideas, Vikki leads a team of patent and trademark attorneys with a focus on helping SMEs not only secure their innovations but also understand how to maximize their commercial value.

Falling into IP — and Finding a Calling

“I sort of fell into IP by happy accident,” Vikki recalls. With dual master’s degrees in engineering and biomedical engineering, she was on a path toward medical technology when job opportunities in the field proved elusive. A patent officer role at the Ministry of Defense opened the door to a whole new world. “I didn’t know what to expect,” she says, “but I found I really enjoyed it.”

Her early experiences included interrogating the inner workings of everyday objects in job interviews and working with inventions that reminded her of her grandfather’s love of quirky gadgets. It quickly became clear: this wasn’t just a job, it was a perfect fit.

From Jet Engines to Software to SatNav

Over the years, Vikki has worked across engineering, aerospace, medical devices, and software. One standout experience involved reverse-engineering gas turbine engines to better understand geared architectures. Another was working on early patents for satellite navigation systems, before satnav became a staple in every smartphone.

What links these disparate sectors? “You see things go from concept to something really cool and everywhere,” she says. “You never stop learning.”

A Practical IP Partner for SMEs

At Pure Ideas, Vikki’s passion lies in helping small and medium-sized businesses use IP as a strategic tool, not just a legal checkbox.

“Many SMEs come to us thinking ‘I need to protect this,’ but often they don’t realize the bigger picture,” she explains. Vikki and her team begin by understanding a client’s commercial goals: Will the product be made in-house? Will they need collaborators? What are the real risks and opportunities?

“We give them a wider understanding, not just of registered rights like patents and trademarks, but also how to safeguard trade secrets, negotiate access to third-party IP, and avoid unintentional infringement.”

IP in Action: Webinars, Podcasts, and Warzones

A natural communicator, Vikki has become an influential voice in IP education. Through webinars and podcasts, she tackles real-world challenges SMEs face, from drafting effective IP agreements to navigating collaborative innovation.

One compelling initiative is her work with Remote Area Risk International, a network helping to solve medical challenges in remote and high-risk areas. With her defense and medtech background, Vikki offers guidance on protecting innovations in extreme environments.

“It’s amazing what people can come up with using limited resources. That ingenuity deserves protection,” she says.

Championing Inclusion and Innovation

Vikki is also a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the IP world, having worked with Rolls-Royce’s Inclusion Council and IP Inclusive. Her passion project? Supporting the IP sector’s menopause initiative — a topic she believes is long overdue for open discussion.

“I’ve always felt a bit of a square peg,” she admits. “But I’ve found communities where difference is celebrated. That’s where I belong.”

Life Beyond Law: Boxing, Theater, and the Big Screen

To decompress from the pressures of senior IP practice, Vikki turns to karate, boxing, and the performing arts. She volunteers at a local performing arts academy and even made a cameo as a barmaid in a short horror film that went on to win awards at the Brighton Rocks International Film Festival.

“It was a happy accident,” she laughs, echoing the phrase that started her IP journey.

Advice for Aspiring IP Professionals

To young professionals, especially women, Vikki says: “Go for it. Believe in yourself. You’ll face challenges, but this is a rewarding career that never gets boring.”

She adds, “You don’t need to come from an elite university. Curiosity, creativity, and communication are just as valuable.”

Why This Matters to SMEs

Vikki’s story embodies the ethos behind PatWorld’s mission: connecting innovators with the tools, insights, and people they need to succeed. SMEs often underestimate the value of their ideas or overestimate what IP registration alone can achieve. Through expert insights from professionals like Vikki, and by providing access to comprehensive IP searches, PatWorld helps demystify intellectual property and supports innovation from idea to industry.

To get in contact with Vikki visit Pure Ideas or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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