Patricia Ypma

Founder and Managing Director, Spark Legal and Policy Consulting

Patricia brings over 20 years of experience in EU law and policy, combining deep legal expertise with a strategic understanding of the European regulatory landscape. She is the Founder and CEO of Spark Legal and Policy Consulting, established in 2011, a leading legal and policy research firm with offices in Brussels and London. The firm supports public and private sector clients in understanding, navigating, and shaping EU law and policy, as well as enabling successful operations within the EU single market.

Building on this foundation, Patricia recently launched Spark Legal and Policy Solutions, a new firm designed to meet the legal needs of businesses with a dynamic and adaptable service model. Spark Legal and Policy Solutions provides a wide range of legal research services, starting with compliance as a core offering and expanding into legal monitoring, cross-border advisory, and project-based legal support. With a focus on flexibility and international reach, the firm acts as a trusted partner to companies navigating both domestic and cross-border legal challenges.

As CEO of both firms, Patricia oversees overall strategy, operations, and business development. She leads a core team of experienced legal and policy consultants and coordinates a broad network of national experts across all EU Member States and beyond. Under her leadership, Spark has successfully delivered high-impact projects for EU institutions, national and regional governments, and private sector clients, covering a wide range of areas including data protection, internal market, the digital single market, AI, competition, access to justice, environmental regulation and employment.

Patricia holds degrees in EU law from the University of Amsterdam and the Université Panthéon-Sorbonne, and is fluent in English and Dutch, with working proficiency in French and Italian.

Why do you support the work of The Entrepreneurs Network?

Entrepreneurs can have a truly positive impact on society. They may create jobs, build inclusive, motivated, and productive teams, promote and /or create innovation, and challenge existing beliefs or traditions. Supporting entrepreneurs and fostering good collaboration with policy makers can channel and accelerate positive impact on our society. Unfortunately, the gender gap remains wide, which clearly applies to entrepreneurship too. Studies have revealed that more than a third of women seeking funding have encountered gender bias from financiers. We need to keep working together to drive positive change for female founders.

What research should more people read?

Any high-quality research on the global phenomenon of gender imbalance, as well as anything that helps entrepreneurs with building and fostering inclusive, motivated and well-functioning teams that work at their best ability. We should also always challenge the status quo, show a genuine interest in other people and cultures: being open to look at the world from different perspectives fosters understanding and collaboration.

Why is the UK an attractive place to grow a business?

It is very easy to set up a business in the UK and, especially in London, where the climate is international, innovative and open minded. The UK is also blessed with several high-quality research institutes, informing society based on evidence-based science.