Beda changes name to Noctis
The trade body for the late-night sector, the Bar Entertainment and Dance Association (Beda), has changed its name to Noctis, the Latin word for night.
The organisation, which has been undertaking a review for a number of months, is now describing itself as the "voice of the late night economy".
Former chief executive Jon Collins, currently chief executive of CGA Strategy, is also to replace current chairman Paul Kinsey, who is finishing a two-year tenure.
Running CGA Stategy remains Collins main job but he takes on the senior executive function at Noctis.
Executive director Paul Smith, who will remain in charge of day-to-day running of the body, said: "The committee favoured Noctis as a name as no acronym comes close to encapsulating the magnificent diversity of the late night sector.
"Changes of name and focus are nothing new for us, we have seen a number of re-brands over our 56 year history (Association of British Ballrooms, British Entertainment and Discotheque Association) in order to best represent the developing needs of our members."
The decision to change came after detailed consultation with members over recent months on how the sector could be best served in the future.
The original consultation document presented a range of future options - including seeking closer working with the ALMR.
Smith said: "These changes allow for us to utilise Jon's considerable strengths and experience working in the late night sector, to help me to navigate some pretty big obstacles in the months and years to come.
"My focus will shift slightly to give Noctis a higher profile in the wider world amongst a greater and diverse range of stakeholders in the media, local authorities and police."
Collins said: "The idea behind Noctis is to take all the best of what was BEDA and forge it into something stronger for the future.
"Noctis has an important part to play in shaping many of the many difficult debates around alcohol, the high street and late night sector.
"We need to continue helping provide the best trading conditions for the sector - as we did with BEDA - but we also need to be shaping the debates around these issues at a more fundamental level."
