While being international in scope, has been described by Encyclopædia Britannica as British in orientation and conservative in approach with largely British contributors.[2] The Managing Editor, Mrs Margret D. Law, called it a completely new work with an historic name and noted in the preface that the encyclopaedia "...is primarily a British production and therefore no doubt reflects to some extent the intellectual atmosphere of post-war Britain. This implies belief in international co-operation rather than nationalistic isolationism, and in freedom of speech, and worship, information and association rather than in any totalitarian conception".[14] The publication was celebrated at a luncheon at Grocers' Hall attended by over 100 contributors and which was chaired by Sir Frank Newnes.