How It Started

The DurnaNova Forum is a new business forum with a difference!

Formed in 2023 by Barry White and Mark Cummins, two local professionals determined to provide more value to businesses in the area.

By providing:

“A forum for businesses that are interested in giving the best service at a fair price.”

Our target is to provide one or more of the following benefits:

  • You learn something relevant to you and your business

  • You meet somebody who can provide a service to you and your business

  • You meet somebody who you, and your business, can provide a service to

We aim to do this by:

  • fostering the development of business relationships to the point people feel comfortable working together.

  • developing and making the most of synergy between businesses.

  • providing a relaxed atmosphere whilst still ensuring businesses provide value to others in the forum.

 

Barry White

Barry has lived and worked in Dorchester since 2001 and, until his “retirement” in 2022 worked as a Chartered Legal Executive with a leading local law firm.

He has always been actively involved in the town’s business, social and cultural life, amongst other things acting as a Mace Bearer for Dorchester Town Council at numerous civic ceremonies.  He is a founder Trustee of Poundbury Community Trust.

Barry has always said “in business, people buy from people” and as an avid networker he instigated and facilitated several business networking groups throughout Dorset.

Mark Cummins

Mark has lived and worked as an accountant and serial entrepreneur in Dorset since 1994. 

Having founded his firm of Chartered Certified Accountants in 2001, Mark works with his professionally qualified team to provide a range of accountancy services with clients local and worldwide.

Mark now also stands on the board of various other companies in several business sectors.

A chance social meeting!

Since his “retirement” Barry has missed interacting with other business people and at a social meeting with Mark Cummins, who he has known for many years, a “lightbulb moment” occurred where it turned out they were thinking alike.

As a result you now have The DurnaNova Forum!