EuSpRIG was founded in March 1999 as a collaboration between spreadsheet researchers at the University of Greenwich, the University of Wales Institute Cardiff and HM Customs & Excise. Its mission was to bring together academics, professional bodies and industry practitioners throughout Europe to address the ever-increasing problem of spreadsheet integrity.

EuSpRIG held its first formal meeting in the offices of Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise as it was then known, in central London in January 2000. The group constitution was drawn up and the first officers appointed. The meeting decided to organise and hold a conference on Spreadsheet Risks at Greenwich University, London that July. There was some concern that anyone other than the organisers would turn up. The conference was, however, a great success with 50 delegates, some excellent papers and presentations, followed by a very enjoyable conference dinner.

EuSpRIG has by now held twelve conferences: Greenwich, London (2000, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011); Amsterdam (2001), Cardiff (2002), Dublin (2003), Klagenfurt (2004), Cambridge (2006), Paris (2009). Our next conference will be in July 2012 in Manchester, United Kingdom.