At a meeting in Soho on Thursday 17th May, the chief engineers of a several leading facility companies have formed a new trade organisation to be called ChEFF (Chief Engineers of Facilities Forum). The group aims to represent the views of the UK facilities industry on technical and operational matters. It will provide a focal point for dialogue with the broadcasters, standards bodies, manufacturers and equipment suppliers. Companies represented at the inaugural meeting were Arena, Evolutions, Edit Works, Frontier Post, Golden Square Post, Hillside, Nats, M2, Metro Broadcast, Dubbs and London Post.

Press spokesman for the forum, Neil Hatton said, "As post-production equipment moves increasingly onto the desktop, the industry faces significant challenges in maintaining technical and operational standards. If a facility becomes a ChEFF member, they will be making a statement about their commitment to consistently deliver high quality and to enhance "best-practice" That commitment should be recognised and valued by producers and their commissioners."

Initially ChEFF intends to campaign for the harmonisation of delivery specifications to UK broadcasters and is seeking a meeting with the broadcasters' chief engineers. Forum chairman, Chris Hillier said, "The proliferation of broadcast channels has lead to an almost equal proliferation of different delivery requirements. The whole industry will benefit if the unnecessary differences can be ironed out."

Facility companies interested in joining ChEFF should contact the forum chairman, Chris Hillier at Hillside 0208 950 7919. The next forum meeting is scheduled for Thursday 28th June. Contacts: Forum chairman: Chris Hillier 020 8950 7919 Press liaison Neil Hatton 020 7291 9191