Nic Ferrar holds a Masters of Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Leeds. After graduating, Nic took a commercial role within the engineering software industry, which involved managing accounts in the automotive, aerospace and marine industries. Nic joined the patent profession in 2003, working for a London-based private practice. Since that time Nic has also gained experience in industry, at Rolls-Royce plc, where he both handled a patent prosecution caseload and advised the business on commercial Intellectual Property matters. Nic qualified as a Patent Attorney in 2007 and has handled a wide variety of technical subject matter across a number of engineering disciplines, including aerospace, manufacturing, power and HVAC, as well as more general consumer goods. Nic also maintains a strong interest in IP protection for software-related innovations and has successfully prosecuted a number of patent applications in fields including design, analysis, control, diagnostics and health monitoring. Nic is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys and a member of the Institute’s Computer Technology Committee, and a Member of the European Patents Institute.