Ahead of the ACID Advisory Council’s meeting at the Design Council next week, the organisation is delighted to announce two new members to its Advisory Council.

Gavin Llewellyn, joins as an intellectual property lawyer at Stone King LLP’s London office, specialising in design law and brands. Gavin is passionate about the creative sector and will also bring with him, as President of the Intellectual Property Commission of the UIA (International Association of Lawyers), a wealth of knowledge about the broader, global view of IP to the Council.

Duncan Maclay, Managing Director of thisisnessie, a thriving business specialising in producing quirky personalised prints, stationery and homewares based on watercolour illustrations by founder Nessie Maclay. Having created a multi-million pound market for one particular range of illustrations, Thisisnessie found themselves besieged by copiers and imitators both large and small, leading them to ACID. Duncan is committed in particular to finding ways to protect small businesses from copying online; to putting the author back into authenticity and to standing at the vanguard of making a conscience into creativity in the UK.

CEO of ACID Dids Macdonald,OBE., said, “Gavin has been a key influence and supporter since being involved at ACID’s inception nearly 20 years ago and he has proved himself to be a loyal advocate of our aims and objectives over the years. I very much welcome his timely appointment to our Council.”

On Duncan Maclay’s appointment she added, “Having witnessed Duncan’s erudite description of the serious issues that their brand faces through online infringement last week at the House of Commons, I am confident that our Council will benefit not only from tackling his current, debilitating experiences but also from his years on Fleet Street as an editor and communicator.”

Read more about the ACID Advisory Council and its members here.