The facility engineers' trade body, ChEFF, has doubled its membership in just three months. The Chief Engineers of Facilities Forum was formed back in May following the demise of the I2A. The eleven UK facility companies represented at the inaugural meeting have been joined by an additional eleven with a further four applications for membership pending. ChEFF provides a focal point for the member facilities to communicate with broadcasters and manufacturers on engineering and operational matters. Forum Chairperson, Chris Hillier of Hillside said, "The new members have really added depth to ChEFF, as they include commercials as well as broadcast specialists. Regional facilities from Scotland and Manchester are also represented along with the Soho crowd." Hillier expects IBC to be fertile ground for recruiting further companies.

The current members are Arena, Andrew Sumner Associates, Capital Studios, Dubbs, Editworks, Edit Video, Evolutions, Frontier Post, Frontline, Golden Square Post, Hillside, London Post, M2, Metro Broadcast, Nats, P3 Post, Picardy Television, Resolution, Rushes, Soho Images, Sohonet and TSI.

ChEFF's initial activities have included opening a dialogue with the UK's broadcasters with the intention of harmonising delivery specifications. Co-ordinating this initiative for ChEFF, is Jeff Booth of Soho Images, who earlier in his career wrote the BBC's analogue spec. "First reactions from the broadcasters have been positive," says Booth. "We look forward to constructive discussions that will remove some of the unnecessary differences between the various specs."

Further details about ChEFF, its activities and how to participate can be found at www.cheff.org.uk