ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the origins of The Centre, with the personal motivations and ideas of the founders set in the context of the public affairs scene and market demand for consultancy and engagement opportunities that were emerging at the time. It sets out the business model for the combination of a ‘for-profit’ consultancy combined with a ‘not-for profit’ forum for debate and discussion, and how seeking to undertake both at the same time had both commercial logic as well as a public purpose. The market opportunity to do this was clear, as few small, effective independent consultancies had been established for some time, and the market for public affairs in Brussels as elsewhere thrives from a range of larger, network agencies as well as a selection of smaller specialists. Edelman’s Trust barometer therefore offered insight into familiar European problems, but also suggested how public relations and public affairs should respond to this situation.
