We are an independent conference and research organisation dedicated to the financial services sector. We have been hosting some of London’s best attended financial services conferences at five star London hotels for four decades. Every year our highly targeted and well attended events attract key decision makers from top financial services companies and provide a respected forum for focussed industry debate. At all our events we aim for objective, non-promotional contributions from industry leaders. Our goal always is to deliver cutting edge information and thought leadership in a congenial environment.
Why Different?
One of our specialities lies in identifying market trends driven by legislative, regulatory and technological change and exploring and assessing them through a conference format. The hallmark of our events is their objectivity and their non-promotional character. Speakers are invited to take part only on the basis of merit and their standing and reputation within the industry, never as a result of sponsorship or other commercial arrangements. This insistence on complete editorial integrity distinguishes us from most of our competitors. Another defining characteristic of Westminster and City events is their interactive format with great emphasis placed on questions and discussion. Speakers are frequently asked to explain, justify and defend their views and are often exposed to challenging and forensic questioning. This interaction generates illuminating debate and invigorates the mental processes, which is one of the things that a good conference is designed to do.
Our Speakers
Our events attract chief executives and senior directors from leading life and general insurance companies, reinsurance companies, banks, building societies, investment houses, asset managers, wealth managers, stockbrokers, IFAs and pension consultants, and partners in leading firms of actuaries, solicitors, accountants and management consultants. We are always pleased to hear from prospective speakers, particularly if they have a distinctive view on their sector and the challenges it may face. We are also interested in any suggestions for new speakers from whom delegates would like to hear. Unlike many conference organisers who regard paid sponsorship as a passport to speaking from the platform we neither invite nor accept sponsorship money in exchange for a speaking opportunity. Speakers are invited to take part only on the basis of merit and never as a result of commercial considerations. This insistence on complete editorial integrity distinguishes us from most of our commercial competitors and also helps to ensure that contributions to our events are objective, non-promotional and to a high standard.
Our Delegates
Our events attract a very high calibre of delegate, nearly all of whom have strategic responsibilities or are senior opinion formers. This is achieved by requiring every delegate to pay a fee to attend. Speakers frequently tell us that they value speaking at our events particularly because of the quality and seniority of the delegates. This in turn justifies speakers taking time and care in preparing their presentations and enhances the value of the feedback they get.
Our Researchers
In depth research underpins every conference we arrange. All our researchers specialise in financial services and in most cases have done so for many years. They have a deep understanding of different sectors of the marketplace, the factors influencing developments and the trends likely to shape the future. Because our researchers know many of the key players and talk to them regularly they pick up early signals of approaching changes and how markets will need to respond and adapt. These valuable insights come to be reflected in the conference programmes which always represent the cutting edge.
Our Venues
Our events are only held at four and five star hotels in London which can achieve the highest standards. We place a premium on comfortable, well-spaced seating, high quality refreshments, attentive service and good audio-visual at venues which are easy to reach. London Marriott Hotel Canary Wharf London E14 4ED. Tel 020 7093 1000 This London Marriott is a five star hotel in the heart of the financial district of Canary Wharf, overlooking the water. It is of modern, spacious design with a purpose built function room. Hyatt Regency Hotel – The Churchill Portman Square, London W1H 7BH. Tel 020 7486 5800 Formerly the Churchill Hotel, now part of the Hyatt Group, this is a five star luxury establishment, within a few minutes walk of Selfridges, the shopping facilities of Oxford Street and Bond Street, and the attractions of Park Lane. Landmark Hotel 222 Marylebone Road, London NW1. Tel 020 7631 8000 The Landmark is a five star luxury hotel in a grand period building a short distance from the shopping facilities at Oxford Street and Marylebone Lane, visitor attractions like Madame Tussaud’s and London’s Hyde Park and Regent’s Park. Four Seasons – Inn on the Park Hamilton Place, Park Lane, London W1. Tel 020 7499 0888 The Four Seasons is a five star luxury hotel located between Hyde Park Corner and Mayfair. It offers facilities and catering to a top international standard and is conveniently located for London’s theatres and galleries.
Our Fees
Unlike many of our competitors we do not have a policy of increasing or decreasing delegate attendance prices according to when the booking is made. Delegates may book places confident in the knowledge that the price is not going to go up or down according to when they book and a better offer will not be secured by waiting until the last minute or even getting in early. Our events are invariably very well supported so it is advisable to book early or run the risk of finding the event fully subscribed. But it will not affect the price you pay. We prefer to offer fair prices from the start rather than inflate prices first in order to finance discounts later.