Business Diary: Lawrie crosses his fingers

It's the final countdown for Misys boss Mike Lawrie's £2m payday. Unless the software group's shares tumble 30 per cent by the end of tomorrow, the controversial windfall is in the bag. Mr Lawrie bought £500,000 of shares five years ago and the company awarded him four times that in matching stock that pays out if the shares, which closed at 293.5p on Friday, are above 208p on vesting day. He may well have been praying for a quiet start to the week on the markets.

Ex-Olympus boss saluted

Michael Woodford, the former boss of Olympus, has taken the plaudits from many quarters after raising "serious governance concerns"over the Japanese camera specialist's takeover deals. His latest fan is Reprieve's founder Clive Stafford Smith, the human rights lawyer who has represented prisoners in Guantanamo Bay. In a letter to the Financial Times, he said Mr Woodford "should inspire others to corporate responsibility".

Cadbury's scary forecast

As today is Hallowe'en, Cadbury's PR firm has kindly told Diary it is growing its share of the UK market for the seasonal event. However, we are not convinced by its claim that it expects Hallowe'en to "strongly rival Christmas sales over the coming years". Has US parent Kraft not heard of the British tradition of watching TV and eating chocolate for a week?

Death for housing sales

Brock Taylor, the Sussex-based estate agents, has provided a rather gloomy view of why people are putting their houses on the market in the downturn. Its director, Peter Maskell, said: "Many will be motivated by the 'Three Ds': death, divorce or debt in the family. Their desire for a quick sale will often force them to set prices low." Diary is sure most folk would prefer a slow sale to the 'Three Ds'.

Most Viewed
Most Commented
Most Shared

Get your summer started with British Military Fitness

BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes

Visit York Nook Get reading

Prizes & offers Business videos

Visit York

Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world

Military Fitness Nook Get reading

Prizes & offers Business videos

Making reading fun for kids

Nook is donating eReaders to volunteers at high-need schools and participating in exclusive events throughout the campaign.

Military Fitness Visit York Get reading

Prizes & offers Business videos

Introducing the 'Get Reading' campaign

Get the latest on The Evening Standard's campaign to get London's children reading.

Military Fitness Visit York Nook

Prizes & offers Business videos

Enter the latest Independent competitions

Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.

Military Fitness Visit York Nook

Get reading Business videos

Business videos from commercial thought leaders

Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.

Military Fitness Visit York Nook

Get reading Prizes & offers

Johnny Marr talks relationships and reunions

He's worked with Modest Mouse, the Pet Shop Boys and Beck, to name a few, and recently released his first solo album. So why, wonders Johnny Marr, do people still hark on about The Smiths?

In pictures: After the flood

From Haiti to Britain, one man has captured the devastation of our increasingly deluged lands

Death becomes her: Meet the very modern mortician who champions 'cool' funerals

Death becomes her: A very modern mortician

Ever considered baking a loved one's remains into a cake or putting their ashes in fireworks? If so, talk to Caitlin Doughty, champion of the alternative death industry.