Events

The flagship Hertford Seminars in Regulation are held about three times a year at Hertford College, Oxford. Following an initial talk or presentation by a distinguished guest speaker, these seminars provide an opportunity for expert, lively and informal discussion of major public policy issues, both during the seminar itself and over food and drink afterwards. Participation levels are restricted to encourange interchanges across the table under the Chatham House rule. The mix of attendees typically reflects the diversity of the RPI's members and supporters in government, business, the professions and academia.

 

During the summer, the Institute organises the Annual Competition Policy Conference, also held in Oxford, usually in Merton College. The event extends over two days, and includes a Conference Dinner formally inducting the RPI's Distinguished Fellows. Between ten to twelve papers are presented by distinguished speakers on a a range of legal and economic matters and, as with the seminars, numbers are restricted so as to promote substantive discussion among those attending. This joint venture is held in association with the Centre for Competition & Regulatory Policy, City University, London.

 

In conjunction with the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), the RPI organises the Beesley Lectures, a series of eight annual lectures covering the regulated industries in the UK, held in London in the Autumn. Founded by Professor Michael Beesley in 1991, and organised by him until his death in 1999, Prof Beesley was a leading architect of the British system of utility regulation and Managing Trustee of the IEA. The lectures are a professional and social highlight for representatives from across the regulatory spectrum and continue to attract key figures from all business sectors.

 

In addition, the Institute organises occasional seminars, and conferences on particular areas of interest.