An interview with the partners of secerna llp

We are thrilled to welcome Secerna LLP as a key supporter of Seas the Day Ocean Rowing Team for our journey across the Pacific ocean. It is a very special relationship to us as Secerna were one of Seas the Day’s first ever corporate supporters when Miriam took on the Atlantic in 2022/23. We’d like to extend our gratitude for their support and belief in us from the start. We love working with companies that have shared common values and we have definitely found that here. 

In 2010, Charlotte Watkins and Jason Boakes had the idea of setting up a boutique firm of patent attorneys to provide an alternative to the big firms. They defined a forward-thinking approach to IP protection and enforcement, whilst maintaining a high quality, client-focused outlook. They knew they could offer the professionalism of the big firms without the high running costs and were keen to create a working environment where people enjoy being at work and feel supported and valued.

Secerna is now a leading European patent attorney firm with offices across the UK and Europe. They provide a comprehensive and commercially focused service to protect, enforce, and leverage your intellectual property. Representing a diverse clientele, from established multinationals to innovative startups, Secerna helps them create, extract maximum value from, and defend IP rights to achieve their commercial goals.. 

We spoke to Secerna Partners, Charlotte Watkins and Jason Boakes, about the partnership and here’s what they had to say:

What inspired your company to partner with Seas the Day Ocean Rowing Team?

Miriam’s record-breaking solo row across the Atlantic in the 2023 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge (a challenge we were proud to sponsor) was a marvellous feat. We followed her journey closely on social media, witnessing her remarkable strength and perseverance. When she returned to the UK and gave a talk about the race and some of the challenges she faced, her focus, determination, and enthusiasm shone through. These traits, coupled with her scientific background, perfectly aligned with our firm’s core focus and values. This, combined with our global reach and commitment to supporting university endeavours, made sponsoring Miriam an easy decision.

Now, seeing Miriam join forces with Jess and Lottie, each with their own unique strengths and diverse skillsets, to embark on a remarkable adventure which will rely on teamwork and the utmost commitment, values we hold dear at Secerna, inspired us to support their new expedition. Their desire to use their own endeavours to inspire young people to try things they may not have thought themselves capable of doing is something we feel should be supported to its fullest extent.

When you first heard about the ocean rowing team’s upcoming endeavours, what intrigued you the most?

Having heard Miriam talk about her solo Atlantic row, we had an inkling that an even more daunting challenge was in the pipeline. What it was going to be was intriguing in itself! The sheer scale of the Seas the Day challenge initially drew us in but what truly intrigued us was the combination of factors: the unwavering determination, ingenuity and problem-solving required from Miriam, Jess and Lottie to navigate such a vast and unpredictable environment. The Pacific region where the row is focused is also of huge interest to us. It is an area which we want to explore as well; identifying innovators based in this area and helping them protect their ideas. We already represent clients from the countries bordering on this oceanic region.

Were there any specific moments or qualities about our team that sealed the deal for you?

Secerna’s partnership with the Seas the Day team goes beyond a typical sponsorship because of the qualities we see reflected in Miriam, Jess, and Lottie. Their unwavering determination and “can-do” attitude align strongly with our firm’s values. Embarking on an unsupported row across the vast Pacific takes a tremendous amount of courage, and we have every confidence in their ability to not only complete the journey but potentially break the crossing record. Their resilience and problem-solving skills mirror the qualities we value in our own team.

We’d love to hear about the values your company holds dear and how they resonate with the goals of the ocean rowing team?

Secerna’s core values deeply resonate with the Seas the Day team’s attitude and goals. The resilience and problem-solving demanded by the vast ocean mirror the challenges we navigate daily on behalf of our clients. In addition, teamwork and commitment to supporting others is something Secerna appreciates and recognises in its own team. The seamless teamwork needed by Miriam, Lottie and Jess to undertake the Pacific Row expedition mirrors Secerna’s own commitment to collaborating together and with clients to achieve exceptional results. Supporting the Seas the Day expedition is a celebration of the shared values that define both Secerna and this incredible team.

What makes this partnership more than just a sponsorship, but a meeting of minds and missions?

Beyond shared core values, what truly elevates this collaboration is the alignment of our missions. While on the surface, ocean rowing and intellectual property law may seem like disparate endeavours, they both fundamentally contribute to progress and innovation. The team’s incredible journey is a testament to human potential and the power of pushing boundaries – this aligns with our mission to secure and protect the intellectual property that drives advancements across all fields. By supporting the incredible journey, we indirectly champion innovation.

The team is setting out to do something that has not been done before. Our core business is helping innovators do the same – protecting and developing innovations that no-one else has thought of doing up to this point. We help clients navigate the Intellectual Property system and overcome hurdles that they may face.

What aspects of our journey are you most excited for or want to highlight?

Several aspects of the challenge truly resonate with us at Secerna. For example the cutting-edge technology onboard, from the vessel’s design to the lightweight long-lasting provisions, exemplifies the remarkable advancements that make such ocean voyages possible. These innovations are often driven behind the scenes by intellectual property (IP) protection, which is a field Secerna is deeply passionate about.

Would you ever row an ocean?

Jason Boakes – Partner, Secerna: “I would never try to row an ocean. I’m not sure I’d even try to cruise one.”

Charlotte Watkins – Partner, Secerna: “I have enjoyed sailing with my family many times and have enjoyed being on the ocean and not having any other being in sight. Some of the days were long days sailing, sometimes in rough conditions but these days are nothing in comparison to what the Seas the Day team will face in the Pacific Row challenge. I am not sure I have the dedication needed to row the ocean rather than sail it within a couple of days of land!”

What would your luxury item be if you were to row an ocean?

Jason Boakes – Partner, Secerna: Good question! I think it would have to be an outboard motor!

Charlotte Watkins – Partner, Secerna: I think my luxury item(s) would have to be a few books to read – if there was ever a quiet moment, of course. And chocolate, although perhaps this is an essential not a luxury!