A new collective is ‘evolving’ from what was the East Devon Business Forum.

The new East Devon Business Group is for all – whether it be sole traders or large manufacturers in the region - says its organisers.

It wants representatives from as many business organisations as possible, including chambers of commerce and trade associations to join up. The aim of the group is to ‘recruit a broad range of businesses and business groups in East Devon, so that it can identify opportunities that will benefit local businesses and also identify the barriers to business and business growth’.

The East Devon Business Group will be entirely business-led and largely self-funded with regular meetings for members.

Serving councillors will not be eligible to serve as officers but, where appropriate, representatives from authorities at local, county and regional level will be invited to attend in order to hear the considered views of business.

Nominations for a chairman are being sought and need to be received by the group before its next meeting at the Deer Park Country Hotel, in Honiton, on Thursday, June 27, at 5.30pm.

An extraordinary general meeting will follow at the same venue on Thursday, July 18, at 5.30pm.

Contact Val Baker at info@bhba.org.uk or telephone 01823 681484, if you can attend either of the above meetings.