07/06/2023 (Agence Europe) – In the race for the post of Executive Director of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), João Negrão came out on top at the meeting of the EU agency’s Management Board in Alicante on Tuesday 6 June. Mr Negrão received 15 votes, against 10 for Etienne Sanz de Acedo and 5 for Andrea Di Carlo. The EUIPO Management Board will then send the list of the three candidates, together with the number of votes obtained by each of them, to the Council of the EU for a final decision (see EUROPE 13184/18). The term of office of the current director, Christian Archambeau, expires in September 2023. The Management Board decided not to renew Mr Archambeau’s term of office. Mr Negrão has been Chairman of the EUIPO Boards of Appeal since 2020. (LC)