For those of you who have any doubt about what drives our business and its relationship with its markets, you would have done well to come to the Central Banking Publications (CBP) 20th anniversary drinks reception at the Reform Club last night.

It was remarkable to see some of the world's leading central bankers gathered together to pay their respects to each of Robert Pringle (CBP's founder), the current team and, as importantly, the Central Banking Journal itself.

I was struck by the genuine respect and authority that CBP commands and the affection the community has for it.  This is clearly a reflection of the values that Robert has instilled in the title since its launch.  The guest of honour was Jacques de Larosière.

Jacques de Larosière was a former managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from 1978 to 1987, and governor of the Banque de France from 1987 to 1993. More recently, he chaired a group that wrote an influential report for the European Commission on how the European regulatory framework should be revised following the financial crisis.  It was wonderful to hear Jacques speak so fondly of how he looks forward to every edition, but also how he has used CBP as reference material to help steer policy.  That could well have been enough and certainly was enough at that time to make me proud to be part of the team.

What came next was just fantastic and I thought I had to share it with you all.  Mervyn King, who as the Governor of the Bank of England is a pretty important man and also a man who clearly would have had plenty on his mind given it was Budget day, made the effort to come to the party but also wanted to share a few words with us.  Governor King stood at the microphone, without notes, and talked with great affection and enthusiasm as to how he genuinely looks forward to receiving the Central Banking Journal, and that it is packed with news but more importantly thought provoking discursive opinion which he and his team find invaluable in their day jobs. Mervyn King then praised the integrity, enthusiasm and expertise of the team. He said central bankers are often overwhelmed with paper, but whenever the Central Banking Journal arrived on the desk he would always take time to read it. He thanked Robert and the team for the contribution Central Banking had made over the past 20 years.

So, King confirms "Content is king".

The trouble with identifying what makes good content and drawing a roadmap is that "good content" is subjective. It's almost less about the content you create and more about who's reading it and their needs. That's why it is so important we get close to our audiences, get to know them and ensure that what we deliver is of value. Well done CBP and Robert on your first 20 years, I look forward to the next with great confidence.

Tim