Obituary: Gerry Williams

Williams joined Visnews from Decca and led negotiations with the broadcast trade union BECTU. When Reuters took full control of Visnews he continued in an employee relations role for Reuters Television, and also managed special human resources projects.

John Freeman, former head of personnel for Reuters Information, said: "Gerry was the quintessential English gentleman, always smartly dressed as you would expect from a member of the Reform Club. In negotiations with BECTU he showed a great attention to detail and an inner toughness which the union negotiators respected.”

A private cremation will take place next week followed by a thanksgiving service in the local church at Long Sutton, Hampshire, where Williams and his wife Diana moved to after his retirement. ■