New CEO at Haseltine Lake

News
11/10/2018

After 17 years at the helm of the leading international IP firm, Haseltine Lake, Lesley Evans stepped down from her role as CEO at the end of September. Having joined in May 2001, Lesley led a period of significant growth for the firm. In the last seven years alone, the firm’s net fees have increased by over 70% and the number of staff by over 80%. During this time the firm has managed, most critically of all, to maintain its phenomenal client satisfaction ratings.


Phil Davies, Chairman, comments:

“It has been an enormous privilege to work with Lesley and we greatly appreciate the part she has played in our success and the firm’s transformation into a forward-thinking and dynamic international business. She will be leaving the firm in great shape: we have great people, we’re experiencing record growth and we’re embracing exciting opportunities with both new and existing clients.”


Taking her place as CEO with effect from 1st October, is Rolf Stein. Rolf joins Haseltine Lake from the energy technology company, Advanced Plasma Power, where he has been CEO for the past seven years, leading the company through the commercialisation phase of its pioneering technology. Prior to that, Rolf held several Board positions in other emerging and high-growth SME businesses after gaining considerable experience in large multinational corporations including Apple, Hewlett-Packard and Petrofina.


Having originally trained as a lawyer, Rolf is qualified to practice law in both the UK and Germany. He has worked in large private practice law firms where he focussed on IP law but also gained experience as in-house counsel for a diverse mix of technology and engineering companies.


Rolf has a uniquely insightful perspective on the client service requirements of a successful and progressive professional services firm such as Haseltine Lake, having been both a provider and procurer of such services in organisations both large and small. He also has a passion for the role and importance of innovation and IP as a differentiator in today’s ever-more competitive world.


Phil Davies continues:

“We are honoured and excited to welcome Rolf to Haseltine Lake. His background and experience will ensure that we successfully deliver on the firm’s ambitious growth strategy whilst placing renewed emphasis on quality and service to meet the developing needs of our clients”.


Rolf Stein comments:

“I am thrilled to be leading Haseltine Lake at such an exciting time in the firm’s evolution. It has enjoyed tremendous success over recent years thanks to great clients, fantastic people and excellent leadership. My role will be to build on that success in order to cement the firm’s position as a full-service IP firm at the very top of the profession. IP has always been at the heart of what I do so this is a very natural fit for me.”


With multiple offices in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and China, Haseltine Lake is celebrating its 40th anniversary of the Munich office and in 2019 it will mark 10 years since the opening of its office in China.


Rolf will be based primarily in the Bristol office but will also work regularly from the firm’s other major offices in London and Munich.


For more information about Haseltine Lake, please visit: www.haseltinelake.com.