Chris Hardingham is a senior director, patent creation & ops, in the IP group of NXP Semiconductors. He heads a global team of patent attorneys. NXP produces many cutting-edge inventions every year. Hardingham’s department determines which inventions should form part of the patent portfolio, in line with the firm’s goals, strategy and budgets. The group manages the drafting of patent applications to meet strict legal requirements and handles the negotiation with national patent offices. He enjoys interaction at all levels of the business and practising his profession before the European Patent Office.