Get to know Hannah Balmforth

Why did you become an Assistant Renewals Manager?

I have always been curious about a career in Law so when I moved back to Yorkshire from South Wales it seemed like the perfect time to look into it. Ending up in IP was actually a happy accident but I am so glad I found an area of Law that is so interesting and a role that suits me so well. 

 

What attracted you to PWF?

When I started (back in 2019) AI was a relatively new thing to the average person, so to work with a firm that was investing so much into this area was incredibly exciting. Also, at that time, the Leeds office only consisted of two people (shout out to the originals: Helen Swift and Chloe Ferrol) and they were so welcoming and friendly. It has been so nice to watch the office go from the three of us into what it is today.

 

What’s the best part of being an Assistant Renewals Manager?

I am an absolute nerd for organisation and structure (I make my own spreadsheets when organising my personal life, let alone work!) So having the opportunity to use those skills to help run the renewals department has been so exciting. It has been lovely to work so closely with Helen to streamline the processes in renewals. I also love working so closely with other people, so having the opportunity to train our team members has been incredibly rewarding.

 

What’s your top tip for anyone starting a career in IP?

If you have an interest in it you must try it. You get to see so many interesting cases and the work is never boring.

 

What’s your greatest professional achievement?

I was absolutely thrilled to be promoted to Assistant Manager within the Renewals Department. I have found renewals to be a prefect fit for my (almost obsessive) need for structure and organisation. I love that I now get to help in running the team and being let loose organising our training documents has been so much fun.

 

What are your career ambitions?

I would really enjoy being a team leader in the future.

 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

“Never work on assumptions.” It is so easy to read ambiguous instructions and take a guess at what may have been intended by the sender. It only takes one small misunderstanding for everything to go wrong.

 

How do you keep busy when not at work?

If I’m not diving into my next fantasy book I am probably knitting. No one in my house is allowed to wear a hat or gloves that haven’t been handmade by me! 

 

What's your guilty pleasure?

I am a massive Taylor Swift fan and have been since 2008!