Rachel Armstrong, an intellectual property specialist at Dubai Future Foundation, an economic development agency, was picked for her skills as an all-round commercial lawyer and her passion for public work.

Armstrong, who became a solicitor in 2013, is responsible for the worldwide protection and enforcement of Dubai’s iconic Museum of the Future. She also played a key part in the successful launch of the museum in February 2022.

Beyond her museum work, Armstrong has spent time in all the business groups within the DFF and is well respected by everyone there. The DFF senior management even recognised her as a leader in her field.

As part of the Dubai government , Armstrong works at both the United Arab Emirates (UAE) federal and Dubai emirate levels, focusing on IP reform. She presented a talk on IP improvement to the UAE Ministry of Economy earlier this year.

Armstrong has led IP teams in the region since 2013, and has significant in-house experience.

She initially joined DFF from Gowling WLG’s IP team on secondment in February 2021.

Although on partnership track at this time, Armstrong became a senior legal adviser at DFF in June 2022.