MEMBERS and guests of the Institute of Directors' Bath and Wiltshire branch have enjoyed the first of what will become a monthly networking event.

The event is being hosted by The Abbey Hotel, in Bath, and comes in response to a growing membership in the area.

It follows in the footsteps of a similar monthly event which is already well established in Bristol and is designed for new and existing members to meet others in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

Bath and Wiltshire branch chairman Jane Bishop of Bishops Law in Salisbury, and Ian Taylor of The Abbey Hotel welcomed guests including Sophie Hibbert, of Hibbert Design, and Tom Cannon, of Moore Stephens, Bath, who have been selected as two of 99 young entrepreneurs in the country to represent potential future IoD leadership.

Jane said: “Given it is such a busy time of year we were absolutely thrilled with the response to this event, which will take place on the second Tuesday of every month.

“We are very grateful to Ian and the staff at The Abbey for giving us such a warm welcome and agreeing to be our regular hosts.”

The Institute of Directors was founded in 1903 to support best practice amongst business directors. It has more than 34,000 members in the UK and overseas, with some 5,000 of those in the South West.

The next event will be held at The Abbey Hotel from 6pm to 8pm on Tuesday, February 10.