Business Direction Online
Latest News
Introducing Business Direction Online, your one stop shop for all local and industry news.
Business Direction Online is updated daily, bringing you news from across Herefordshire & Worcestershire. Explore our Members exciting and important updates and keep up to date with any Chamber news.
If you’re a Chamber Member, you can submit your latest news stories free of charge and promote updates to local business professionals. Contact our Marketing team for more information.
Top Insurance Employer Award for Sutcliffe & Co for fourth year running
Sutcliffe & Co Insurance Brokers are celebrating being named a ‘Top Insurance Employer 2026’ by Insurance Business UK (IBUK) Magazine for the fourth year in a row. These established awards highlight excellence within the insurance industry, naming standout...
Latest Article
Top Insurance Employer Award for Sutcliffe & Co for fourth year running
Sutcliffe & Co Insurance Brokers are celebrating being named a ‘Top Insurance Employer 2026’ by Insurance Business UK (IBUK) Magazine for the fourth year in a row. These established awards highlight excellence within the insurance industry, naming standout...
Member News
Sustainability Book Series Idea Earns Worcester Students a Big Cash Boost
Two University of Worcester students have scooped a £5,000 cash investment in their business in a Dragon’s Den style event. 3rd year Business Management students Evan Greenlees and Kasra Salehi pitched their idea for the company, Little Guardians, at this year’s BOSS...
Worcester Students Shine in National Live Poetry Contest
University of Worcester students showcased their live poetry talents in a national contest, securing an impressive second place finish. The UniSlam 2026 event saw the best university spoken-word poet teams go head-to-head, performing their own works in a bid to take...
Patron & Strategic News
The Hive to Host Exclusive First Look at New Historical Novel
The life and legacy of the Worcestershire surgeon who revolutionised medical sterilisation through the use of iodine is being brought to life in a new historical novel, with a special soft-launch event at The Hive. Born in 1860, Lionel Stretton served as a surgeon in...
Family Fun and Activities at The Hive to Mark Earth Day
From ‘flying’ like a bird thanks to the magic of virtual reality to learning about the plastic polluting our oceans, families can enjoy a host of free interactive activities at The Hive next week in celebration of Earth Day. Budding environmentalists can explore a...
Chamber News
Welcome New Members | November
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout November Lucy Labels – A sticker and labelling business offering custom labels. Barclays Greater Birmingham and The Three Counties Corporate – Barclays’ regional corporate banking services for businesses....
Autumn Budget 2025: Chamber Response
Commenting on the Budget Statement, Robert Elliot, Director of Business Development & Policy, said: “For months we have been concerned that this Budget might repeat the chaos businesses faced in October 2024. While this statement is more stable, several measures...
Our Latest Member
Meet JP Bookkeeping — Your New Virtual Finance Office
As a new member of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce (HWCC), JP Bookkeeping is excited to introduce its Virtual Finance Office service which manages the full finance function for businesses from start to end. Our strategic, outsourced Finance...
Meet JP Bookkeeping — Your New Virtual Finance Office
As a new member of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce (HWCC), JP Bookkeeping is excited to introduce its Virtual Finance Office service which manages the full finance function for businesses from start to end. Our strategic, outsourced Finance...
Policy News
Have Your Say: Herefordshire Council Budget 2026/27 Consultation
Herefordshire Council is inviting residents and businesses to take part in its Budget 2026/27 consultation, giving you the opportunity to have a direct say in how council services are prioritised and where savings may need to be made. The consultation runs from...
Autumn Budget 2025: Your detailed summary
Rachel Reeves’s second Budget boosts welfare spending paid for through stealth tax rises, and taxes on property, savings and dividends. Income tax rates remain unchanged, but frozen thresholds for a further three years and wealth-focused levies do the heavy lifting. ...
Skills News
81-year-old University Student set to Graduate Next Week
An 81-year-old student is set to graduate from the University of Worcester next week. Wendy Hill, from Ledbury, is among those graduating on Tuesday (March 4) after completing a Master of Research degree. “My message to other mature people who feel the need to achieve...
National Apprenticeship Week success culminates with launch of 2025 Apprenticeships Awards
Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Worcestershire County Council are pleased to announce the 2025 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards. The announcement comes at the conclusion of National Apprenticeship Week, a successful week of promoting the...
Charity News
Massive new superstore with thousands of bargains on Bescot retail park
A massive new Acorns superstore has opened its doors in Walsall – the charity’s first ever store on a retail park – featuring a huge range of furniture and a dedicated book reading area. Thousands of items have been stacked on the shelves including pre-loved clothes,...
Community generosity at Christmas helps Herefordshire families
As families across Herefordshire face increasing pressure, a series of quiet but meaningful acts of generosity by business and individuals are helping to support those most in need through local charity Vennture. With demand for emergency accommodation and family...
Trade Support Gap Leaves Firms Flying Solo
Zero percent of surveyed UK exporters say they have “comprehensive support” from government to manage trade policy changes, according to new research by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in partnership with global standards organisation GS1 UK. The BCC’s...
BCC News
Trade Support Gap Leaves Firms Flying Solo
Zero percent of surveyed UK exporters say they have “comprehensive support” from government to manage trade policy changes, according to new research by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in partnership with global standards organisation GS1 UK. The BCC’s...
Worcestershire News
Worcester Graduate Helping Schools to be Greener
Two decades after graduating, a former Worcester student is helping schools across England deliver on the Government’s ambition to embed sustainability into the national curriculum. Edd Moore, who graduated in 2005, has since led multiple schools to national and...
‘Flying Scotsman’ to reunite the Severn Valley Railway line
The world’s most famous steam locomotive 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ will haul the first passenger train along the full length of the 16-mile Severn Valley Railway line, when the northernmost section is reunited with the rest of the line on Friday 25 July. Work is now...
Herefordshire News
Herefordshire Law Firm Announces New Partners
A Herefordshire law firm is celebrating the appointments of four new partners – including one who started out as an office secretary nearly 30 years ago. Lanyon Bowdler has announced that four senior members of staff have been promoted to partners –...
Turning Risks into Opportunities: How Insurance Can Support Business Growth in Herefordshire and Worcestershire
Running a business in Herefordshire and Worcestershire presents fantastic opportunities, but it also involves risks. Whether you’re a manufacturer in Malvern, a farm shop owner in Herefordshire, or a tech start-up in Worcester… growth often means taking on...
All Latest News
MYTH: I might do more harm than good if I try CPR.
MYTH: I might do more harm than good if I try CPR. TRUTH: The only wrong move in cardiac arrest… is doing nothing. Why CPR Matters Every minute without CPR reduces a person’s chance of survival by 10%. When someone collapses and isn’t breathing normally, you ARE their...
Top honour for the SVR’s King and Castle as it scoops CAMRA gold
The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) is celebrating after its King and Castle pub at Kidderminster station was named Pub of the Year (Gold Award) by the Wyre Forest branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). The prestigious award follows a rigorous judging process, with...
Data Map to track Workflow (Interactive tool)
When I was working as a GDPR consultant, part of the requirements of the legislation was to understand the data flow as it passes through the organization (https://it-ebs.co.uk/news/gdpr-map/). This allowed us to spot any cyber security risks that may occur at any...
How to compare different software packages (includes an interactive tool)
ERP Software Comparison Chart: For many business owners they feel over whelmed with the variety of choice, and the associated jargon when it comes to upgrading software. Many people can relate to the physical tools of trade that they know, a new car fleet, forklift or...
The Hive to Host Exclusive First Look at New Historical Novel
The life and legacy of the Worcestershire surgeon who revolutionised medical sterilisation through the use of iodine is being brought to life in a new historical novel, with a special soft-launch event at The Hive. Born in 1860, Lionel Stretton served as a surgeon in...
Family Fun and Activities at The Hive to Mark Earth Day
From ‘flying’ like a bird thanks to the magic of virtual reality to learning about the plastic polluting our oceans, families can enjoy a host of free interactive activities at The Hive next week in celebration of Earth Day. Budding environmentalists can explore a...
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