60 Seconds with Cherrie Stewart | Ansons

Friday 6 June 2025

Tell us about your role and your organisation:

I am a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney and Director at Ansons, a firm of Intellectual Property Attorneys. We help protect a company’s unique assets - such as its name or logo, the way a new or improved product works or looks, and more.

My central role is to educate the public on the importance of Intellectual Property and assist our clients in protecting one of their most valuable assets: their trade mark. These are the signs used to identify and distinguish their brand.

The role is very varied. On a typical day, I might conduct a clearance search to check that a potential new trade mark won’t infringe on existing rights, file an application to protect that mark, oppose conflicting marks that may confuse the market, or advise clients on proper trade mark usage.

Brief overview of your career journey:

I joined Ansons as a temporary telephonist/receptionist to cover a maternity leave. Twenty-seven years later, I’m still here—now as a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney and Director responsible for our Belfast office.

After the maternity cover ended, I was offered a permanent administrative role. Intellectual Property wasn’t something I had even heard of before joining, but I quickly became fascinated by it. When Ansons was acquired by Dublin-based MacLachlan & Donaldson in 2002, I was offered the opportunity to train as a Trade Mark Attorney. I qualified a few years later, became the office manager, and in 2011 was appointed Director.womeninbusinessni.com+1womeninbusinessni.com+1

One skill that helps most in your role and why:

I am a relatively calm individual. Keeping a clear and level head is essential when facing important deadlines.

Advice for other women in your industry:

Don’t compare yourself to others. Nobody else can be you, so be the best version of you that you can be.

Exciting plans ahead:

In the upcoming year, we will continue to collaborate with others to educate about the importance of identifying a company's Intellectual Property and protecting it when possible. It's always exciting to bring these often overlooked but valuable assets to the attention of their owners.

Biggest career inspiration:

I don't have one person who inspired me, but hearing the stories at the Women in Business events of what women have achieved through their ingenuity, resourcefulness, determination, and hard work inspires me.

Soundtrack to get through the day:

"Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin is a song which always helps to de-stress me as it helps put things into perspective.

Best way to connect:

Call me on 028 9065 6103, connect on LinkedIn or email stewartc@ansons.co.uk

Friday 6 June 2025