In addition to Brian Gerrish, Mike Robinson and Charles Malet, who are the three directors of Akita Media (trading as UK Column), Marcel Jahnke is a shareholder in the business. Marcel holds a 20% stake.
Since 2020, which is when he became a UK Column member, Marcel has provided a great deal of financial support to those he believed to be sincere in their resistance to, and analysis of, the worldwide tyranny. Unfortunately, his generosity and benevolence has not always been met with the respect it deserved and, in several instances, his support has been abused.
During 2024, the directors of Akita Media worked up a business development plan and initiated a series of very positive discussions with Marcel. At our request, Marcel agreed to join us as a shareholder and, in order to expedite our plan, he offered a shareholder loan to the business. This loan was accepted and, before any dividends or profit-share, it must be repaid in full. An agreement to this effect was signed by all parties.
The loan itself has been used to enhance the technical capabilities of the UK Column production operation, and to increase the quantity and quality of the video and written output. The most notable examples of this effect are the addition of the Silk & Steel, Jerm Warfare and A Thousand Words podcasts. More recently, with direct funding from the business development loan, we have been able to launch a first-class quarterly, The Column.
The day-to-day running of the organisation is funded, as it always has been, by the support of our membership. This will not change and we take this opportunity to offer our profound gratitude to those that continue to fund what we do, for without you we would not be able to do it.
As a minority shareholder, Marcel does not have control over the direction of the business. He does not have control or influence over the editorial processes, nor over the management of personnel.
Marcel Jahnke moved from his native Germany to the Far East early on in his career and he is now based in Thailand, where he is engaged in regenerative farming and educational and film-making projects, most of which are self-funded. He has oversight of a significant business portfolio which is spread across the region, including China.
We must make it abundantly clear that we are extremely proud of our relationship with Marcel Jahnke and that we are determined to honour his commitment to the business as we look ahead to the next 20 years.