Member Spotlight: Henry Shine, Chartered UK & European Patent Attorney & Senior Associate, Wilson Gunn

Introduce yourself

I’m Henry, a Chartered UK and European Patent Attorney and Senior Associate at Wilson Gunn, Manchester’s long-established firm of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys. I work with technology and engineering businesses to help them identify and capitalise on their intellectual property, primarily by obtaining commercially focused patents for their inventions.

Career highlight

It is always a highlight working with innovative UK engineering businesses and seeing how quickly good ideas move from the drawing board to real-world products. A factory and design studio tour of a major British automotive manufacturer was a standout moment, and it reinforced the importance of aligning intellectual property strategy with product roadmaps and commercial priorities.

Name three words that describe your personality

Friendly, pragmatic and inquisitive.

What’s the best thing about pro-manchester

The range of events is excellent – there really is something for everyone. I have particularly enjoyed the Future pro-manchester events I’ve attended, as they provide an accessible entry point into the wider pro-manchester community and make it easy to build relationships early in your career.

What are your priorities for 2026?

My main priority as a Patent Attorney is, of course, to continue delivering excellent service to clients.  One area I am always looking to develop is a deeper understanding of each client’s business so that their intellectual property portfolio is closely aligned with their commercial aims.  Alongside this, I am taking a more active role in improving the environmental and sustainability credentials of Wilson Gunn and in training our junior staff, which is something I really enjoy.

What do you think are the most important things going on in Manchester at the moment?

Manchester’s growth over the last decade has been fantastic to see, both in terms of the skyline and the breadth of businesses choosing to base themselves here. It is especially important that major tech and other high-growth companies are establishing offices in the city, creating opportunities for local talent. Equally, organisations such as The Growth Company and the GM Business Growth Hub play a vital role in supporting home-grown businesses and start-ups across Greater Manchester.​

Favourite meeting place in Manchester

Sam’s Chop House has to be up there for me. A lovely restaurant area at the rear and an excellent pub at the front – what more do you need!

Are there any particular types of businesses that you would like to meet

Primarily tech and engineering companies who are developing new products or processes. This includes established businesses looking to streamline or develop their existing patent portfolios, as well as start-ups who need help building a strategy and portfolio from the ground up. I am also always keen to speak to other professionals – such as solicitors, accountants, corporate finance advisers and investors – who work with innovative clients and may need specialist IP support.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0161 827 9428

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henryshine/