Dates for your diary

This page is updated regularly with the latest news on upcoming FEP events and networking opportunities.

FEP Stakeholder Meetings

 Each quarter, the FEP hold a stakeholder meeting, offering our community a chance to connect with other like-minded individuals, showcase some of the Forest of Dean's exceptional businesses, charities & organisations, and focus on driving sustainable economic growth. Meetings take place at various locations in the district and typically from 5-6:30. They are completely free to attend and open to all, as long as you either live, play, or work in the Forest of Dean and want to see an economically thriving area, FEP is for you. 

Upcoming meetings

Wednesday 4th December

Join us for Christmas drinks and our end-of-year round-up at AccXel Construction School  5-6:30pm! 

Past meetings

Wednesday 11th September 

Our September stakeholder meeting took place at The Wesley in Cinderford. We were joined by some of the most exciting businesses and organisations who are leading the way in sustainable construction and infrastructure, both within our district and beyond.

Our guest speakers included,

• Luke Freeman, joint Chief Executive of MF Freeman

• Hayley Selway, CEO of Two Rivers Housing

• Natalie King, Managing Director of AccXel Construction School

• Matt Dunkley, Construction Lecturer at Gloucestershire College 

Read more about our stakeholder meeting here.  

6th March 

The first stakeholder meeting of 2024 took place Wednesday 6th March at the Speech House in Coleford. 

Our 3 speakers were…..

• Chris Griffiths & Louise Slade of DEEP
• Pete Marshall of Outsource Automations Solutions
• Peter Allison of Together Gloucestershire

Click here to read our full blog from the evening and to view the agenda click here. 

12th June 

On 12th June 2024 FEP held our second stakeholder meeting at the AccXel Construction School in Cinderford. Our speakers were,

• Khady Gueye & Issachar Foster, The Music Works. Please get in touch to view the presentation. 
• Mark Jones, Dean Radio. View the presentation here.
• Deb Cook, Forest Voluntary Action Forum (FVAF). View the presentation here. 
• Paul Williamson, Forest of Dean & Wye Valley Tourism. View the presentation here. 
• Rob Olins, Canopy Creative Network. View the presentation here.
• Natalie King, AccXel. 

Click here to view the agenda and here to read Punchline Gloucester's article on the evening. 

Previous meetings

To view the agenda for the December 2023 stakeholder meeting click here. 

To view the agenda for the September 2023 stakeholder meeting click here 

Business Events & Workshops

 Forest Traders  

Whether you are an existing business, just starting out, or thinking about going into business, Forest Traders offer networking sessions to support you and your business. The networking workshops are at a different locations each meeting and take place monthly. Sessions take place morning and evening, but are pre book only. Email contact@foresttraders.co.uk or follow their social media pages for more. 

The Growth Hub

The Growth Hub hosts a range of workshops and courses, run by local experts, to upskill you and your team in breaking down barriers to growth. Have a look at the upcoming workshops or click the link below to their website for more. To contact them, email The Growth Hub at forestofdean@thegrowthhub.biz. 

Learn more