EcoPlan International: Founder & MD

Britton founded EcoPlan in 1966 to provide an independent international forum of observation, reflection and counsel on issues involving technological change as it effects people in their daily lives. Over the years he has led, initiated, participated in, and carried to completion a fair range of international advisory assignments and research and demonstration projects aimed at providing decision counsel to government, business and the volunteer sector on thorny issues of technology, economy and society. A common theme in all this work is the need to gain a better understanding of technological change as a prerequisite to the strategic adaptation of products, services, business procedures, and institutional structures.

Research & Advisory Services to Industry & Government

EcoPlan is an independent consulting and advisory group providing professional services to international industry, service providers, government and financial institutions. The main thrust of our work: to anticipate and get on the right side of problems and opportunities that arise as a result of technological, structural, environmental or value changes in our chosen areas of specialization. Founded in 1967 the work of the group is thoroughly analytic, forward looking, interdisciplinary and, of course, international. It is also very fast changing in many respects, as you will see in these pages.

Assignments are oriented to the generation of ideas and strategies for international business development, decision support and policy making, rather than research per se (though we more or less continuously do "research other people's research" in the fields in which we concentrate). That we also work with government agencies and volunteer groups in quite a range of countries and situations is considered a significant asset when it comes to understanding and working with the public/private sector policy interface.

We are aggressive users of advanced communications and information technologies. This is critical since our assignments almost always require that we work in close partnership with our clients. It also is vital for melding our spread-out international network of associates and collaborators into focused teams, able to work as effectively together as if they were all in the same room. On the other hand, these technologies, useful as they are, are no substitute for depth of knowledge based on years of hands-on experience, extensive international networks of personal and professional contacts, and an ability and willingness to get out and cull valuable perspective, information and support in the field, without spending all our time parked behind a computer workstation.

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1966-2004

From the outset, EcoPlan was organized as a 'knowledge network' and over three decades of successful international operation the group has developed a rather original and effective structure of organization and work in support of its far-reaching projects and assignments. The main elements of this include:

  • An established core group, working with state of the art communications and computer facilities as needed to support sophisticated research, effective international networking and collaborative projects across international borders.

  • Long term concentration in a limited number of technology areas which constitute the central core of all our work.

  • Professional cooperation on a continuing basis with an outstanding network of senior partners and associates, specialized research organizations, experts and thinkers in related technical and policy areas around the world.

  • A practice of close team work with sponsors and clients who, though they often have at hand much of the knowledge and resources needed to deal with their problems, can at times benefit from independent analysis and counsel, and longer term strategic perspective.

The people and institutions with whom we have collaborated over the years are, together with our basic philosophy of work, among the central assets of the group. We have taken great care in building creative long term relationships with thoughtful and committed individuals as well as institutional clients. These established alliances and shared interests regularly result in new ideas, projects, contacts, and assignments.

Each assignment is planned, negotiated and executed under the direction of a Senior Partner with world-level credentials and experience in the subject area. The partner who initially represents EcoPlan and negotiates the contract has full responsibility for all aspects of the assignment up to its successful completion. He is supported as required by staff researchers and external collaborators with specific technical and area competence. He also remains available for follow-up work and further consultation.

The group's work involves both proprietary assignments for individual clients and multi-client or group projects.

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A note on The Commons

The link between EcoPlan and the Commons is a simple one: EcoPlan is the for-profit operation, and the funds generated there are used to underwrite the activities of The Commons, our public interest arm.

In an attempt to advance the agenda of sustainable development and social justice in very specific ways, Eric has spent a lot of time and effort in order to create a cycle of international problem-solving networks linking outstanding thinkers, researchers and decision-makers from diverse disciplines, countries and points of view. You can see some of the results of this open knowledge-building approach if you turn to the website of The Commons. In his attempt to get across the message of social responsibility, at a time in which other values and priorities often appear to be pushing it aside, he and his colleagues around the world have taken active roles in defining and supporting demonstration projects that show how new and more responsible forms of organization can be created and made to work, not only on paper but in the real world.

For further information

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Last updated on 19 May 2004