With the UK’s divorce from the EU now in full swing, patent and intellectual property firm Keltie is to open an office in Galway to tap into the area’s medtech scene.
For UK firms of all sizes, the effects of Brexit on business could prove fundamental in their decision to maintain a relationship with the EU in some form.
One such company is Keltie, a major firm of European patent, trademark and design attorneys, which has announced the opening of its first office outside the UK in Galway.
In cooperation with IDA Ireland, the company has decided to move to the west coast to tap into the area’s growing start-up scene, particularly within the area of medtech.
Over the past year alone, a number of medtech start-ups have announced more than 100 jobs including Zeltiq, SMT and DiaNia Technologies.
Meanwhile, Capsos Medical has raised millions of euro in funding to pioneer a new treatment for unblocking arteries.
Keltie’s expansion into Ireland is being led by company partner Sean Cummings, who has family ties to the region and now lives in Connemara.
Cummings is an engineer with more than 30 years of experience in the intellectual property profession in London and has been a partner with Keltie since 1993.
Effects of Brexit
“The west of Ireland is a hotbed of technologies that match Keltie’s traditional strengths, including medical devices, software and electronics, life sciences, renewable energy and marine engineering,” Cummings said.
“We see our expansion as the perfect opportunity to add to the existing business support infrastructure alongside solicitors, accountants and other professionals.”
He also spoke directly about the effects of Brexit on the company’s decision to select this location.
“Being acutely aware of the impact of Brexit, we acted to protect our position as EU-qualified attorneys,” he said.
“But by opening our new office in Galway, Keltie has not only cemented its place in the EU – it has joined the innovation community of one of the world’s most energetic cities.”
When asked how many jobs were being created as part of the announcement, a spokesperson for IDA Ireland said that Keltie did not want to reveal this for commercial reasons.
