Member Spotlight: Kerry Allen, Chartered Trade Mark Attorney, Wilson Gunn

Introduce yourself

My name is Kerry Allen, and I am a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney at Wilson Gunn, a leading firm of patent and trade mark attorneys. I have been with Wilson Gunn since 2013 – a slow burner, I started out in the formalities department before progressing through to qualification in 2023 (with some career breaks to have my children in between!)

Career highlight

Some time ago now, but I was proud to receive the award for the highest mark achieved for the qualification foundation course – Postgraduate Certificate in Intellectual Property at Bournemouth University. I have juggled being a parent throughout the qualification process and so it was a particular achievement to get the highest mark on one of the courses.

Name three words that describe your personality

Friendly, professional and meticulous.

What’s the best thing about pro-manchester?

pro-manchester really lives up to its name. It captures the true ‘worker‑bee’ spirit of Manchester by bringing together people from all corners of the business community. Through its wide range of networking opportunities, it creates a space for collaboration and teamwork, helping businesses and professionals grow, develop and thrive. It plays a significant role in making Manchester one of the best places in the UK to work and build a career.

What are your priorities for 2026?

My priority for 2026 is to continue developing as a Trade Mark Attorney — strengthening my expertise, providing valuable and practical advice to my clients, and expanding my professional network.

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

Manchester continues to stand out as a city that is resilient, optimistic and future driven. Even in a world that can feel uncertain, the city is driving ahead with major regeneration projects that are reshaping communities and creating new opportunities across the region. Manchester has always been a place that builds for the future—and right now, that spirit feels stronger than ever.

We’re also fortunate to have strong leadership in Andy Burnham, whose initiatives are making a real impact across Greater Manchester. His focus on inclusive growth, community investment and long‑term regeneration is helping ensure that the city’s progress benefits everyone who calls it home.

Favourite meeting place in Manchester

Anywhere that serves a great flat white, or an even greater glass of red! Since I work some of the time from my home in Wigan, there is a draw to the city to meet other professionals and there is an abundance of wonderful places in which to do that. A particular place I have enjoyed visiting recently is Federal Café on Deansgate – when there is a queue to get in, you know it’s going to be good!

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

I work with any business that needs support protecting its name, branding, or enforcing its rights against competitors or copycats. I’m especially keen to help start‑ups and SMEs, as the world of intellectual property can feel a bit overwhelming when you’re just starting out or trying to grow your business and so it is important to have access to the right advice.

As a business grows, trade mark protection becomes even more important. The more visible a brand becomes, the more likely it is that others might try to imitate it. Putting the right trade mark protection in place early on helps businesses safeguard their reputation, avoid confusion in the marketplace, and expand with confidence knowing their name and branding are properly protected. That’s where my expertise really adds value.

Get In Touch (optional)

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +44 (0)161 827 9427

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-allen-60412152/