Westminster Forum

The westminster forum says that 'Founded in 1976, we are an independent, non-partisan and not-for-profit organisation.' It claims that 'We are not lobbyists', yet most of its directors are actually professional lobbyists.

Westminster forum account

Our funding comes entirely from corporate subscriptions and sponsorship. Membership is by subscription currently £1650 per annum. This entitles companies to send one or more of their staff – and where appropriate key clients – to our meetings.

The forums are usually held over breakfast (7.45 am to 9.15 am) or lunch (12.30 until 2.15pm) at a City or central London location and are hosted by one of our corporate members. We also hold occasional small dinners with a guest speaker. Our speakers normally give a 10 or 15 minute introduction on an appropriate topic followed by a question and answer session with our members. We follow Chatham House rules.

Westminster Forum has established a reputation for the quality, prominence and accessibility of our speakers. They are drawn mainly from the world of politics, administration and business.

People

• Adam Bruce | Sir Michael Craig-Cooper | Giles Deards | Leith McGrandle | Noorzaman Rashid | John Sacher | Richard Simmons | Karl Snowden | Brenda Stern | Sam Walker | Miles Webber

JOHN SACHER Chairman, Westminster Forum John is a former Director of Marks & Spencer. Among his other commitments he is Vice President of the Industry and Parliament Trust, a Fellow of the Royal College of Music and President of the Royal Philatelic Society London. He has an Honorary Doctorate from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and is President of its UK Friends.

RICHARD SIMMONS, CBE Chairman, BDP Media Group Limited A former partner of Arthur Andersen, Richard has served as adviser to a number of Government ministers. He was co-founder and non-executive director of the Cranfield Information Technology Institute. He is currently a director of Chameleon Nursery Limited; a trustee of the Foundation for Social and Economic Thinking and Acting Chair of Governors at the Moat School. He was formerly Hon Treasurer, Carlton Club Political Committee and a member of the Royal Academy of Arts Development Board. He was awarded the CBE in June 1995 for political and public service.