Ten years ago today, the Institute opened the doors of its new, purpose-built Centre of Excellence at Biggleswade

The Consultation Institute had been run from a very traditional office in Sandy for six years when it decided to redevelop the ground floor of Baystrait House, Biggleswade and open it as a ‘Centre of Excellence’.  

Since then it has greeted visitors from all over the UK and beyond. Hundreds have attended Training courses, Workshops, Advisory groups and received best practice Advice and Guidance.

From within the Centre, dozens of Associates have received training so they can provide help to public bodies and other consultors on a daily basis. Thousands of articles have been scanned and the most relevant ones published as part of our Information service. Online learning packages have been developed, webinars recorded, and specialist training courses developed and piloted to specially invited audiences.

In July 2014, a strong delegation from the Chinese Regional Parliaments visited the Centre, learning about consultation and absorbing messages we had scarcely considered to be relevant. Since then, visitors have continued to arrive and we can claim to be the office that contains more consultation know-how and materials than anywhere else on the planet!

Increasingly, the Institute operates as a network of highly skilled specialists, who are at home working remotely, or on client sites. But it also relies upon a core team at Biggleswade that keeps the well-oiled operation in fine fettle. The building has been a happy home for many staff, some of whom have progressed to senior roles in a range of environments, including the NHS, Planning, Regulatory bodies and even the Diplomatic service.

For them, and the current team of Karen, Jan, Michelle, Sarah, Rebecca, Rhidian, Martyn and our Head of Finance & Corporate services, Keith, the Directors express their thanks and hope we all enjoy the milestone of the 10th anniversary of the Centre.