Clarissa De Jager
About Clarissa De Jager
Clarissa De Jager serves as the General Counsel and Director of Intellectual Property at Ceres Power, where she has worked since 2018. With extensive experience in legal management and intellectual property across various sectors, she has held significant roles at companies such as Royal Mail and Ricardo plc.
Work at Ceres Power
Clarissa De Jager has served as General Counsel and Director of Intellectual Property at Ceres Power since 2018. In this role, she oversees legal matters and intellectual property strategies, contributing to the company's focus on renewable energy solutions. Her responsibilities include advising the executive team and managing legal risks associated with the company's operations.
Previous Experience
Before joining Ceres Power, Clarissa De Jager held several significant legal positions. She worked at Ricardo plc as Consultant Counsel and interim Head of Freedom to Operate for Ricardo Innovations from 2014 to 2015. Prior to that, she was the Legal Director for Information, Communications, and Technology at Royal Mail plc from 1999 to 2013, where she managed legal affairs for over a decade. Additionally, she served as Project Counsel at Elekta from 2017 to 2018 and as Legal Director at asb law from 2015 to 2017.
Education and Expertise
Clarissa De Jager holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) from the University of the Orange Free State, where she studied Business/Managerial Economics, Industrial Psychology, and Commercial Law. She also earned a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Port Elizabeth, focusing on Commercial Law and Forensic Medicine for Law. Her extensive experience includes both contentious and non-contentious intellectual property matters, as well as legal management consulting.
Legal Practice and Methodologies
In her legal practice, Clarissa De Jager utilizes continuous improvement and LEAN methodologies to enhance operational performance. She has designed and implemented various operational models, including outsourcing and supplier management. Her expertise extends across multiple industry sectors, including entertainment/media, logistics, automotive engineering, medical devices, fuel, and renewable energy.
Leadership and Team Management
Clarissa De Jager has built and managed large, highly qualified legal teams across different organizational models. She has experience working in diverse corporate settings, from start-ups to large public limited companies, and has advised CEOs and Boards on legal matters. Her focus on the client journey and service delivery has been a key aspect of her leadership approach.