UK trademark and patent firm Marks & Clerk has opened a representative office in Shanghai, it was announced today (February 1).

The office will be fronted by Simon Speekes, a partner who has been based at the firm's Hong Kong office for the last 10 years.

Local regulations do not permit foreign firms to trade or give paid advice, meaning the office operate in a liaison capacity only.

The office further boosts the firm's presence in the region. It has had an office in Hong Kong for over 20 years and works with clients in both Japan and Korea.

Marks & Clerk China team head Keith Hodkinson said: "We want to provide a useful 'on the ground' contact point for Chinese clients."

Meanwhile, the firm has launched training and internship programmes for Chinese professional staff. The programme will train Chinese nationals in the UK before returning them to China.