STORY
Chris McDonald MP has been appointed as the Government minister with responsibility for intellectual property. The Intellectual Property Office confirmed the appointment following McDonald’s move in July 2026 to become Minister of State for Science, Innovation and Investment, a role held jointly across the Department of Health and Social Care and the newly formed Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.
The new responsibilities will see McDonald take ministerial oversight of intellectual property policy, including the framework through which businesses, creators and innovators protect their work and ideas. The Intellectual Property Office is the Government body responsible for intellectual property rights including patents, trade marks, designs and copyright.
Intellectual Property Office chief executive Adam Williams welcomed the appointment and said intellectual property was central to the UK’s creative and innovative strengths. He said the system helped individuals and businesses protect ideas, attract investment and bring new products, services and content to market, adding that he looked forward to working with McDonald in his new role.