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.
Severn Valley Railway welcomes back Railway 200’s Inspiration for half-term spectacular
The ‘brilliant’ and free-to-visit Railway 200 Inspiration exhibition train is returning to the Severn Valley Railway for a special half-term visit from Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 May, giving families and young people another chance to step inside this unique and...
Latest Article
Severn Valley Railway welcomes back Railway 200’s Inspiration for half-term spectacular
The ‘brilliant’ and free-to-visit Railway 200 Inspiration exhibition train is returning to the Severn Valley Railway for a special half-term visit from Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 May, giving families and young people another chance to step inside this unique and...
Member News
New partner joins to bolster law firm’s agriculture and rural affairs team
Law firm mfg Solicitors has strengthened its nationally-recognised Agriculture and Rural Affairs department with appointment of a new partner. Experienced solicitor Neil Harrison has rejoined the firm after over 12 years working as an internal legal counsel in the...
Why flexible outsourcing can make more sense
In 2026, major changes to UK employment law will reshape how businesses hire, manage staff and plan for the future. The new Employment Rights Bill and related reforms will introduce day-one rights for some employees, strengthen protections and increase potential...
Patron & Strategic News
Event to Tackle Growing Body Image Crisis Among Men
An event in Worcester will shed light on the rising issue of body image concerns and eating disorders in men, offering expert insights and practical guidance for those affected and those supporting them. The free event, held at the Hive Library on Wednesday November...
SME Solicitors’ Private Client team wins ‘Team of the Year’
SME Solicitors, based on Sansome Walk in Worcester, is delighted to announce that its Private Client team has been awarded ‘Private Client Team of the Year’ at the Worcestershire Law Society Awards 2025. The team was recognised for its commitment to...
Chamber News
The Courtyard’s Mental Health Project for children secures vital funding
The Courtyard is thrilled to announce that it has received funding from The Eveson Trust to enable its Education Team to continue to deliver its award-winning Mental Health Project, #TalkAwayDontWalkAway. The Eveson Trust has awarded £10,000 to fund a practitioner to...
The Courtyard has been shortlisted for an Award for its Environmental Sustainability work
The Courtyard team are delighted to have been shortlisted for a Climate Award in partnership with The Happy Museum Project and Culture Declares Emergency for their work on environmental sustainability, as part of the Culture, Health & Wellbeing Alliance Awards....
Our Latest Member
Huge welcome to Outliers, who have joined the Chamber
Outliers Wellbeing was founded by Matthew Lock and Gavin Eivers in February 2020… 2-weeks before ‘Lockdown 1.0. They specialise in providing bespoke wellbeing programmes that promote and embed long term change in behaviours and bottom lines. To achieve...
Huge welcome to Outliers, who have joined the Chamber
Outliers Wellbeing was founded by Matthew Lock and Gavin Eivers in February 2020… 2-weeks before ‘Lockdown 1.0. They specialise in providing bespoke wellbeing programmes that promote and embed long term change in behaviours and bottom lines. To achieve...
Policy News
EU grant data adequacy to UK but add sunset clause
Flows of personal data from the EU to the UK will continue, after the European Commission adopted two “data adequacy” decisions. The news came as the temporary bridging period for the free flow of personal data from the EU to the UK came to an end on 30...
MPs launch inquiry into bodies managing the UK-EU trade deal
A cross-party group of MPs have set up an inquiry into powerful new bodies set up to manage the UK-EU trade deal. The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) bodies, including the Partnership Council and Specialised Committees, are talk shops designed to iron out...
Skills News
Pershore student awarded top apprentice title
A horticulture apprentice training at Pershore College has been named as the Midland Regional Growers (MRG) Apprentice of the Year. Tom Everard, who is currently employed at the Worcestershire-based plant company Bransford Webbs, was presented with the award by the...
Pershore College officially launches agri-tech revolution
Pershore College opened its doors to representatives from over forty organisations and businesses from around the region last Tuesday when it officially opened its Agri-Tech Research Centre. The state-of-the-art centre was funded with the support of £500,000 from...
Charity News
Hospice welcomes Mike as new Chief Executive
Worcestershire’s St Richard’s Hospice has warmly welcomed Mike Wilkerson as the charity’s new Chief Executive, following the retirement of his predecessor June Patel. Mr Wilkerson joins St Richard’s from Saint Catherine’s Hospice in North Yorkshire where he has been...
Vamos Theatre opens its doors for a special day of play
Vamos Theatre, the award-winning full mask theatre company based in Worcester, is inviting non-theatre professionals to join in a unique workshop – one that’s for everyone who’s interested in theatre. Renowned for its ground-breaking, non-verbal performance style,...
Business Welcomes Export Support Package Amid Global Uncertainty
Responding to the announcements from the Chancellor and Business and Trade Secretary to support UK exporters, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said: “The BCC called last week for enhanced credit and financial support through...
BCC News
Business Welcomes Export Support Package Amid Global Uncertainty
Responding to the announcements from the Chancellor and Business and Trade Secretary to support UK exporters, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said: “The BCC called last week for enhanced credit and financial support through...
Worcestershire News
Introducing ADS Procurement & Supply Chain Ltd to the Chamber
ADS Procurement is a commercial training and consultancy business based in Worcestershire. We were formed in 2019, although our real-world business experiences started back in the 20th century! If you deal with suppliers or customers, in any capacity, then you will...
Worcestershire FE students celebrated in award ceremony
Further Education students from Pershore College and Evesham New College have had their achievements celebrated in a special annual award ceremony. More than 100 guests including proud family members, guardians and staff joined together at Pershore College as students...
Herefordshire News
Member to Member Reviews: A glowing testimonial for Herefordshire and Worcestershire Group Training Association
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Group Training Association have received a heart-warming testimonial from fellow Chamber Member Pauline Tarrant Consulting, who studied with them 20 years ago. Pauline, who has emigrated to Australia and has clients both there and here...
Here to Help – Marches Growth Hub support helps drive engineer’s growth
A Herefordshire business says it has been able to take on new staff and enjoy significant growth thanks to help from the Marches Growth Hub. Engineering company Wye Cylinder Engineering (WCE) has seen its turnover grow by almost £1million in the last 12 months and...
All Latest News
New trainees join law firm as it invests in next generation
A group of nine new trainees have been taken on by leading Worcestershire law firm mfg Solicitors as it invests in the next generation. The new trainees beginning their two-year training contracts are Oliver Leigh, Bethany Steel, Alena Dudrah, Jack Cook and...
Consultant vs In-House HR: What’s Right for SME Businesses?
Running a business in the UK means constantly balancing cost, risk, and speed – HR is one area where the choice between in-house staff and external consultants has a major impact. The case for consultants (outsourced HR): Expertise on demand: Access to...
Hazelton Mountford expands Worcester office space to drive specialist Property Division growth
Independent chartered insurance broker Hazelton Mountford has expanded across an additional floor at its Worcester headquarters, marking a significant step in the growth of its property division and the company’s expansion plans. The new space, located directly above...
Avoiding Business Risks: The Do’s and Don’t’s
There is a risk in creating a business. Most business owners have asked themselves; 1. Is it going to fail? 2. Am I going to run out of cash? 3. Will people be interested in my product/service? Having great bookkeeping helps enable business owners to not have to...
Vennture Appoints Safeguarding Expert to Drive Innovation Amid Sector Pressures
Ex-Police Safeguarding Leader Joins Vennture as New COO Herefordshire charity Vennture has appointed Jon Roberts as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective 1 August 2025. Jon, a father of four from North Herefordshire, brings 30 years of policing experience,...
DRPG’s Dale Parmenter awarded Honorary University Fellowship
Dale Parmenter, CEO and Founder of creative communications group DRPG, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Worcester, and admitted to the University’s College of Fellows. The Fellowship recognises his contribution to responsible business...
Become a Chamber Member!
Contact our Chamber Membership team to find out how we can help your business.