Simon White
About Simon White
Simon White is the Director of IT Cooperation at the European Patent Office, where he has worked since 2019. He has a diverse background in public policy and program management, with significant experience in international coordination across various European institutions.
Current Role at European Patent Office
Simon White serves as the Director of IT Cooperation at the European Patent Office, a position he has held since 2019. Based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, he is responsible for overseeing IT initiatives that enhance cooperation across various European patent systems. His role involves strategic planning and implementation of technology solutions that support the office's objectives.
Previous Experience at EUIPO
Before joining the European Patent Office, Simon White worked at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) from 2011 to 2019. He held the position of Head of Service for European Cooperation for five years, where he managed initiatives aimed at fostering collaboration among EU member states. He also served as a Programme Manager during his tenure at EUIPO.
Educational Background
Simon White has a diverse educational background. He studied at Birkbeck, University of London, earning an MSc in European Politics from 1998 to 2000. He also attended the University of Edinburgh Law School, where he completed a postgraduate module in the International Intellectual Property system in 2017. Additionally, he holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Nuclear Science and Technology from The University of Manchester, obtained from 2008 to 2010, and a BA (Hons) in French Language and Modern France from Bangor University, completed in 1996.
Career in Public Policy and Programme Management
Simon White has extensive experience in public policy and programme management, particularly within Central Europe. His career includes roles at the European Commission, where he served as a Country Coordinator and Programme Manager for Decommissioning Support Programmes. He also worked as a Policy Manager at the UK Department of Health and has a proven record of managing large-scale projects with budgets up to €1000 million.
Skills in International Coordination
Simon White possesses strong skills in international coordination and coalition-building. He specializes in facilitating collaboration among diverse stakeholders, particularly in challenging environments. His approach is characterized by open communication and problem-solving, enabling effective teamwork among individuals and organizations that may initially have conflicting interests.