Club of Three

The Club of Three (C3) is a Franco-German-British leadership initiative that provides an informal platform for cross-sector thinking on major European and global challenges. It convenes senior figures from business, politics, the media and academia in France, Germany and the United Kingdom, aiming to encourage the exchange of new ideas at the highest level and to suggest solutions to the greatest threats and challenges of our time. The Club also seeks to strengthen relationships between 'the Three' and with other European and international partners outside of official communication channels, and to generate strategic thinking and proposals for strengthening Europe as a global actor, including post-Brexit Britain. The organisation runs a core annual programme consisting of a Plenary meeting, a Working Session and a number of more informal 'fireside chat' meetings, held in different European capitals and supported by partner organisations. These meetings are designed to foster open discussions on the threats, opportunities and major issues of the day, often taking a critical view of the three countries' success in dealing with major geo-strategic, economic and social issues. Past events have addressed shifts in global economic power, challenges to the social compact in Europe, regulatory frameworks in the aftermath of the financial crisis, and Britain's EU membership. The Club marked its 30th anniversary in September 2025 with sessions on European competitiveness and digital sovereignty at the Max Liebermann Haus in Berlin, followed by a reception at the British embassy. The Club of Three operates as a private, non-profit initiative. It is not a commercial brand in the traditional sense but functions as a trademarked convening platform and membership-based leadership network. Its activities are funded through the support of partner organisations and it maintains a website at clubofthree.org. The organisation's work contributes to strengthening mutual understandings and nurturing critical relationships both within Europe and with key global players such as China and the US.

The Club of Three was established as a Franco-German-British leadership initiative, with its 30th anniversary celebrated in September 2025, indicating a founding around 1995. It was created to provide an informal platform for cross-sector thinking on major challenges facing Europe, convening senior figures from business, politics, the media and academia. The Club aims to encourage the exchange of new ideas at the highest level, enhance dialogue between senior figures from the three countries, strengthen relationships between 'the Three' and with other European and international partners outside of official communication channels, and generate strategic thinking and proposals for strengthening Europe as a global actor, including post-Brexit Britain. Over its three decades, the Club of Three has organised a range of high-level meetings on an annual basis, varying in size, format and focus, and taking place in different European capitals. Its core programme consists of a Plenary meeting, a Working Session and a number of more informal 'fireside chat' meetings, supported by partner organisations. Past events have addressed shifts in global economic power, challenges to the social compact in Europe, and regulatory frameworks in the aftermath of the financial crisis. The 2013 Plenary meeting in London featured an opening speech by the then UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne. The 2015 plenary, held at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and two other meetings in the first half of 2016 were dedicated to the topic of Britain's EU membership. The 2016 plenary, at Spencer House in London, explored lessons to be learnt from the UK's EU referendum. In September 2025, the Club marked its 30th anniversary with sessions on European competitiveness and digital sovereignty at the Max Liebermann Haus in Berlin, attended by 45 representatives from industry, finance and the policy field. A reception at the British embassy followed, during which Minister of State for Europe Gunther Krichbaum gave a keynote address. In November 2025, a Plenary Meeting was held in Paris, focusing on pushing back against Russian aggression. The Club also published opinion pieces, such as one on European digital sovereignty by Edie Lush, and reports, and organised a fireside chat with French Presidential candidate Édouard Philippe in July 2025. The Club of Three continues to operate as a private, non-profit leadership network, contributing to strategic dialogue within Europe and with key global players such as China and the US.

• Club of Three founded as a Franco-German-British leadership initiative (approximate, based on 30th anniversary in 2025).

• Plenary meeting in London; then UK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne delivered the opening speech.

• Plenary meeting held at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, dedicated to Britain's EU membership.

• Plenary meeting at Spencer House in London explored lessons from the UK's EU referendum; two other meetings in the first half of 2016 also focused on Britain's EU membership.

• Fireside chat with French Presidential candidate Édouard Philippe at the Cercle de l'Union interalliée.

• 30th anniversary sessions on European competitiveness and digital sovereignty at Max Liebermann Haus, Berlin, followed by reception at the British embassy with keynote by Gunther Krichbaum.

• Plenary Meeting in Paris on 'Pushing back against Russian aggression: Can we go the distance?'

Informal, high-level, cross-sector leadership platform for strategic dialogue between France, Germany and the UK.

• Annual Plenary Meeting

  Core annual meeting bringing together senior figures from business, politics, media and academia.

• Working Session

  Focused working session as part of the core annual programme.

• Fireside Chats

  Informal meetings with key figures, such as the July 2025 chat with Édouard Philippe.

• Reports and Publications

  Reports on plenary meetings and opinion pieces, such as on European digital sovereignty.

1. 1Club Of Threeclubofthree.org
2. 2About us – Club Of Threeclubofthree.org
3. 3Club of Threewikidata.org