Julia Hayhoe, a former chief strategy officer at Baker McKenzie, has joined IP firm Rouse’s board as a non-executive director (NED) to help the private equity-backed firm with its expansion plans.

The appointment of Hayhoe, who began her career as a lawyer and has worked across the legal and professional services for more than 25 years, comes after private equity firm MML Capital made a minority investment in the firm in 2022, sparking a shift to a corporate structure.

Hayhoe joins two non-executive directors from MML on the board, which is led by chair Paul Raleigh, previously a member of Grant Thornton International’s global leadership team and non-executive chair of Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland.

IP law is regarded as an attractive sector for private equity firms, and there have been a number of deals in recent months, including CBPE Capital’s investment in Leeds-headquartered IP firm HGF last October.

Hayhoe pointed out that the injection of private equity was leading to an increased demand for NEDs, particularly in relation to international growth. “It’s becoming more common – and, I believe, increasingly valuable.”

“Clients’ needs and demographics are changing, so firms gain from new insights and experience in delivering cross-border, multidisciplinary solutions,” she said. “At the same time, growing private equity interest in legal and related sectors is highlighting the importance of strong governance and stewardship.”

Rouse was founded in the UK and has 23 offices across 15 jurisdictions. Last year, it acquired Swedish management consultancy outfit Konsert Strategy & IP and merged with Danish IP consultancy firm aera. It merged with European IP firm Valea in 2022.

Hayhoe’s previous roles include serving as an internal consultant and senior business development manager at Clifford Chance, followed by a seven-year tenure as a partner at Thomson Reuters. She then joined Baker McKenzie, where she remained for more than 13 years.

She currently serves as a NED for a number of international professional and financial services companies, including Lockton Insurance, property consultancy Knight Frank, insurance broker Specialist Risk Group and educational technology company Corporate Governance Institute, with the aim of helping them achieve strategic, sustained growth and value creation.

Luke Minford, Rouse CEO, said: “Julia brings enormous insight and experience to Rouse. She has a client-centric mindset and collaborative style, which typifies the way Rouse builds relationships.”

Hayhoe added: “I have been impressed with how Rouse is finding opportunity in the challenges presented by our macro conditions and within the IP industry. The leadership team have not been afraid to put their heads above the parapet to lead and adapt for the benefit of their clients and people. I am looking forward to bringing my experience and guidance to them as they innovate and grow.”

In April, two leading European intellectual property firms, Dutch-based NV Nederlandsch Octrooibureau (NLO) and Paris-headquartered Ipsilon, entered into a strategic partnership, backed by pan-European investment fund Waterland Private Equity.

In 2024, private equity firm Adamantem Capital completed the acquisition of Australia-based intellectual property business Qantm IP.

PE investment in the UK legal sector as a whole reached a record high of £534m in 2024, according to M&A broker Acquira Professional Services.

In May, two former senior partners of legacy UK Magic Circle firm Allen & Overy, Wim Dejonghe and David Morley, launched a consultancy to advise on private equity investment in law firms.