Graham Bishop, acts as anchor at these meetings (often a breakfast) where recent financial services developments in Brussels are reviewed.
A compilation of our weekly Headliner e-mail provides the listing of events, and comments reflect our “Financial Services Month in Brussels”.
How did it evolve?
Since autumn 2004, Graham Bishop has acted as anchor to a monthly breakfast hosted by the Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation (CSFI) in the City of London. Applications have always exceeded our limit of 30 participants and we are now running at about 70 participants each month. So the format clearly met a need. As the notes for the session formed a comprehensive overview of developments in the last month, we decided to package them into the “Financial Services Month in Brussels”, thus creating the core of our Premium Monitoring System
What is the Format for Brussels for “Breakfast”
London format:
€ The format consists of an overview by Graham Bishop on his selection of events from the last month's compilation. Those comments should progressively draw in comment (and argument) from the other experts in that particular field. The key is that it is not a lengthy solo speech by Graham Bishop. Participants welcome the general sharing of views and information as audience response is an integral part of the success. They contribute detailed technical expertise from their own particular area so that everyone is enlightened. Graham Bishop moderates the discussion for about one and a half hours by reviewing the main events in EU financial services policy (characterised as “Brussels”) - both as major themes and specific pieces of legislative activity.
€ Guests represent a wide spread of local market participants – from the financial services industry and professional support services (banks, insurance, money managers, lawyers, accountants etc). Experience shows that a leavening of public sector participants (FSA, Bank of England, HM Treasury, and Financial Markets Law Committee) helps to create the atmosphere of a real policy debate. This induces an interaction between all the participants and that contributes to a lively discussion – precisely because the audience is well informed in their individual areas, but they want to hear from people they know to be equally expert in other fields, thus rounding out their knowledge of Brussels developments.
The export version:
€ From 2006 onwards, the "Brussels for Breakfast" concept has been successfully exported to Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Paris, Vienna and Stockholm. As EU financial services legislation seems to be acquiring a global standard-setting role, it seemed opportune to present this review of EU financial services policies to broaden discussion, and understanding, of events in far-away Brussels so variants have been held in Washington and Tokyo.
€ The format is adapted appropriately for local conditions - the time available, the mix of guests - both industry type and public sector. Topics and themes need to be agreed at the time - to be topical and to reflect particular local needs/special interests. Each participant receives a hard copy of the latest edition of the “Financial Services Month in Brussels” to aid the discussion, as well as the compilation of recent events that may span several months.