< Back to latest news & events

News

HGF launches forward-thinking and inclusive parental leave policy – PRESS RELEASE

September 2024

This policy positions HGF as the first Intellectual Property firm in the UK to provide all eligible colleagues, irrespective of gender with access to the best parental leave and pay offering, including up to 52 weeks’ leave with 26 weeks at full pay.

Launching today, the new policy offers all eligible new parents in the UK, irrespective of gender or family circumstance, access to:

  • Up to 52 weeks’ of leave with 26 weeks at full pay.
  • Spread leave and pay to suit personal circumstances, leave can be taken in one block or in discontinuous blocks and pay can be spread equally.
  • Leave and pay that is not impacted if taking time off simultaneously with the other parent (where there is more than one parent).
  • Pro rata’d billing targets, for colleagues in fee-earning positions billing targets are reduced in the relevant financial year/s.

The policy applies each time an eligible colleague in the UK welcomes a new child or additional children into their family.

Martyn Fish, CEO commented: “I am personally proud and delighted that HGF is leading in its sector and the broader business community by introducing this progressive new policy. This is going to make a real impact on our colleagues”

Lara Robinson, Deputy HR Director commented: “This is a momentous move in supporting new parents at HGF. This policy helps to level the playing field in providing every eligible colleague the opportunity to be involved in this special time with their new child/ren whilst still being able to progress in their careers, reinforcing HGF’s commitment to creating a workplace where every individual can thrive both personally and professionally”.

If you have any queries or require any additional information please contact marketing@hgf.com

Latest updates

Agritech Thymes: The Bite of Implied Consent: Lessons from the Pink Lady Case

Can the supply of a plant variety without clear and defined restrictions on its use be an implicit consent to commercialise it? This case centres on the evidence required to …

Read article

IAM Global Leaders 2026

HGF is proud to announce that we have 3 partners listed as an IAM Global Leader 2026. To qualify for inclusion in the IAM Global Leaders, individuals must be ranked …

Read article

The Bite of Implied Consent: Lessons from the Pink Lady Case

A recent European Union court decision considers the issue of implied consent to commercialise a plant variety, and whether the evidence meets the threshold of “serious doubts” of the validity …

Read article
Event - 5th November 2025

HGF are Gold Sponsors of IAM Live: Navigating the UPC 2025

We’re excited to share that HGF is a Gold Sponsor of IAM Live: Navigating the UPC 2025, taking place on the 5th November at the Marriott Opera Ambassador Hotel in …

Event details

HGF ranked band 1 in Chambers and Partners UK 2026

The Chambers and Partners UK 2026 Guide is now live and HGF has one again been highly ranked as a firm, with several recognised individuals across multiple regions. HGF is …

Read article

How France's investment in digital health, AI, and bioinformatics is transforming the intellectual property (IP) landscape

In recent years, France has become a key player in digital health innovation, driven by strategic government investments under the France 2030 initiative and the French Tech 2030 program. These …

Read article
Event - 14th October 2025

The Future of Protein Production Amsterdam 2025

HGF are proud to be sponsoring the Future of Protein Production Amsterdam 2025, the leading global event bringing together innovators across fermentation, cultivated and plant-based proteins. Date: 29-30th October 2025  …

Event details

A Turning Point for AI Patent Eligibility?

Director Squires Vacates PTAB § 101 Rejection in DeepMind Case In a notable early move as Under Secretary of Commerce and USPTO Director, John Squires has vacated a Patent Trial …

Read article