THE businesswoman who has headed Ilkley Business Forum for two successful years is looking for a successor to carry on her work.

Vera Woodhead, who runs Edimo Coaching, plans to step down as business forum chairman, and hopes to find an ‘energetic’ person to spearhead events planned by the organisation.

Mrs Woodhead says she always planned to act in the role for a two year period, and believes a new chairman will bring in fresh ideas.

Ilkley Business Forum has increased its membership to about 80 members in the past two years, and events taking place this year include a high-profile business growth conference at the Craiglands Hotel on September 25.

Another of the forum’s current initiatives is a map of the town it is producing for the Tour de France. Several spaces are still left for local businesses to advertise on the map.

The forum also holds month meetings, and has recently been meeting at the premises of various companies in and around Ilkley, although members of the business community from Addingham, Burley-in-Wharfedale and Ilkley often attend meetings.

Mrs Woodhead is inviting local business people interested in being chairman of the forum to get in touch.

She said: “I’m looking for someone to come forward, somebody energetic who has got some vision, is very forward-thinking, and has the ability to take the forum forward.”

She would particularly be interested in finding someone with a retail background.

Mrs Woodhead’s own plans for the future including continuing to run her own Aspiring Women’s Network in Ilkley, and writing a book on leadership and strategies for success.

Anyone interested in becoming Ilkley Business Forum chairman is asked to contact Mrs Woodhead at v@edimo.co.uk or telephone 07990731840.

To enquire about advertising in the Tour de France map, contact Julia Forrester on 07912 530057.