Established in 1946 as a federation of national sections, the European League of Economic Cooperation (ELEC) comprises an independent network of like-minded European entrepreneurs (predominantly from economic and financial circles) interested principally in furthering European economic integration. As part of this enterprise it publishes and organises debates on important European themes.

The Brandon Rhys Memorial Lecture series was facilitated by a legacy left in Sir Brandon Rhys Williams' will to the British Section of the ELEC for the promotion of the European Market for Capital and adoption of a single European currency.