Past briefings

20 January

Lionel Barber, Editor FT 2005 to 2020 and author of “The Powerful and the Damned” 2020:
“The crisis of liberal democracy—business and politics in the post covid world”

27 January

Dr Fabian Zuleeg, CEO and Chief Economist European Policy Centre:
“Enduring EU/UK relations: policy collaboration and governance process on global issues”

3 February

Sir Laurie Bristow KCMG, British Ambassador to the Russian Federation (2016 -2020):
“Russia’s relationship with the West”

10 February

The Rt Hon. the Lord Forsyth of Drumlean, Chair, House of Lords' Economic Affairs Committee:
“Employment and COVID-19: time for a new deal”

I attend the Briefing Circle because it is an opportunity to meet like-minded senior individuals with very different perspectives. I usually meet someone new and always learn something from our conversation.
Paul Jackson, Chief Executive Engineering UK
The Briefing Circle is an exceptional opportunity to meet and hear from both the interesting and the interested. The dialogues I have been involved in have been high-level and informative.
Simon Walker, Director General Institute of Directors
Many many thanks for inviting me along to the lunch yesterday, it was simply excellent. As always you managed to gather together an impressive group and the discussion was fascinating.
James Sproule, Chief Economist and Director of Policy, Institute of Directors
I find the Briefing Circle lunches immensely useful, primarily because Hugh manages to bring together such an interesting mix of people with different perspectives. This makes for rich, informative and always stimulating discussions. It is a great idea to bring different sectors together in this way.
Nicola Dandridge CBE, Chief Executive Universities UK
In my second career I find myself invited to any number of briefings, discussions and general stuff. About the only one that I regularly turn up to is the Briefing Circle run by Hugh Merrill. I find the discussion wide ranging, the attendees have acute insight, and I always come away both stimulated and better informed.
Nick Baveystock, Director General and Secretary Institution of Civil Engineers