Russell Twisk: Editor of The Listener and Reader's Digest

Obituary of Russell Twisk in The Independent by Marcus Williamson

Jacques Vergès: Lawyer whose notorious clients included Pol Pot, Klaus Barbie and Carlos the Jackal

Obituary of Jacques Vergès in The Independent by Marcus Williamson

Red Bull backs down in trademark fight with British brewer

The energy drink giant, Red Bull, has today confirmed that it has backed down over its trademark fight with the small-scale British beer manufacturer, Redwell Brewing. Red Bull had claimed that the name "Redwell" could confuse its customers. A letter to the brewery from the company's brand enforcement manager, Hansjorg Jeserznik, suggested that Redwell's trademark was "highly similar" to Red Bull.

In a statement received today, a Red Bull UK spokesman said:

"There is no dispute here. Red Bull has long been willing to allow Redwell to maintain its mark for beer so long as they do not use it for energy drinks. Redwell's solicitor has agreed to this."

Patrick Fisher, the owner of Redwell Brewing, had previously commented "Our name is different, our branding is different. We don't make energy drinks and we're not planning to move into Formula One or send a man skydiving from space very soon."

Redwell Brewing, which has been established for just five months, is named after Redwell Street in Norwich, the firm's home town. It brews around 5000 pints of beer per week.

by Marcus Williamson
Freelance journalist
15 August 2013
E-mail: marcus@connectotel.com

[Please credit the author if you use this article as a source of information for your own writing or broadcasting]

New pay charter for charities - proposal to Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO)

To: Stephen Bubb (stephen.bubb@acevo.org.uk)
Subject: New pay charter for charities
From: Marcus Williamson (marcus@connectotel.com)
Date: Wed, 07 Aug 2013 12:24:32

Mr Bubb

I have read this news report:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10224104/30-charity-chiefs-paid-more-than-100000.html

I would like to propose a new and simple pay and conditions charter for charities:

* No directors or staff to be paid more than the Prime Minister
* Maximum pay ratio between the highest and lowest paid staff of 10:1
* No use of zero hour contracts
* No use of unpaid interns or other staff, except for genuine volunteers
* No use of "workfare" or any similar forced labour schemes
* No use of business or first class travel
* No bonuses
* No termination payments
* Publication of CEO pay details on every charity website in a standard format

Would ACEVO be prepared to support such proposals, which could immediately make millions of pounds available for charitable purposes by bringing senior pay at charities back to a reasonable level?

It would also demonstrate responsible leadership to the wider public and private sectors, showing that it is possible for CEO pay to fall, rather than forever increasing.

I have copied Christopher Hope at the Telegraph and William Shawcross at the Charity Commission and will be sending a copy to the CEOs of each of the members of the DEC.

My interest is as a technologist, journalist and editor of the website www.ceoemail.com

Look forward to hearing from you.

best wishes
Marcus Williamson

John Amis: Music critic and broadcaster who graced radio’s ‘My Music’ for two decades

Obituary of John Amis in The Independent by Marcus Williamson

Ilya Segalovich: Computer pioneer whose internet search company predated Google

Obituary of Ilya Segalovich in The Independent by Marcus Williamson