Business Direction Online
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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.
Lecturer Plays Role in New Worcestershire Walking Initiative
A University of Worcester academic has played a key role in new sustainability-themed walking routes around Worcestershire that incorporate transport by train. Senior Lecturer in Graphic Design, Andy Stevenson, has lent his expertise to the project, mapping and...
Latest Article
Lecturer Plays Role in New Worcestershire Walking Initiative
A University of Worcester academic has played a key role in new sustainability-themed walking routes around Worcestershire that incorporate transport by train. Senior Lecturer in Graphic Design, Andy Stevenson, has lent his expertise to the project, mapping and...
Member News
Neurodiversity: A Growth Strategy Hiding in Plain Sight
When businesses think about growth, they often focus on customer acquisition, investment, or new product lines. But what if one of the biggest untapped drivers of innovation, productivity, and profit was sitting within your existing workforce – or being filtered...
Venues ordered to prepare following new terrorism law
Venue owners and operators are being urged to prepare for new terrorism laws being introduced following the devastating Manchester Arena bombings and ever-growing threat of terror attacks. The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, otherwise known as ‘Martyn’s...
Patron & Strategic News
Free Talk on Student Finance
As people preparing for university courses in September begin the next steps of their application process, a free online talk is being offered to help with applying for student finance. Held by colleagues at the University of Worcester, the talk titled ‘Making Your...
Elite and Talented Student Athletes Celebrated at Awards Ceremony
Elite and talented athletes studying at the University of Worcester have been recognised at an inaugural sports award’s ceremony. Seven awards were handed out at the awards, including UW Sports Personality of the Year, Academic Commitment, Excellence in Leadership,...
Chamber News
Welcome New Members
Our warmest welcome to our newest members: Acquis Media Ltd – Production and Support Services Brown & Brown – Brown & Brown brokers provide a personal, local and specialised service backed by the market strength and capabilities of a leading global...
Autumn Budget 2024: Key Points
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered Labour’s first Budget since 2010, after the party’s return to power in July’s general election. Here are some key points to take away from the Autumn Budget. Personal Tax and benefits The Minimum wage for adults over 21 is set to...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members
Our warmest welcome to our newest members: Always Outdoors Ltd/Life Changing Activities – They facilitate adventurous outdoor activities and team challenges for all abilities. Their activities include rock climbing, gorge walking, canoeing, raft building, team...
Welcome New Members
Our warmest welcome to our newest members: Always Outdoors Ltd/Life Changing Activities – They facilitate adventurous outdoor activities and team challenges for all abilities. Their activities include rock climbing, gorge walking, canoeing, raft building, team...
Policy News
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Releases Business Manifesto for 2025/26
The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has launched its Business Manifesto for 2025/26, outlining its key priorities for the year ahead. Based on extensive research, including insights from the Quarterly Economic Survey and direct engagement with...
National Insurance Creating ‘Powder Keg’ of Costs
• 82% of firms surveyed say the National Insurance (NI) rise will impact their business • Most responding businesses say the increase in NI will impact recruitment (58%) and prices (54%) • Over three quarters (79%) of businesses do not feel the government has properly...
Skills News
Apprenticeships and their value to the workforce of the future
As the nation enters National Apprenticeship Week 2023, Mark Smith – Commercial Banking Relationship Director at Lloyds Banking Group and President of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce – shares his positive approach to...
NEOPERL UK focus on staff training
Over a third of the 160 staff at Neoperl UK in Malvern, took part in personal development training during 2022 and that figure is set to increase with a new learning focus for 2023. The manufacturing business requires a broad selection of skills across their employee...
Charity News
St Michael’s Hospice presents An Evening with Monty Don at Cheltenham Town Hall
Renowned TV horticulturist will be in conversation with Kate Bliss A face familiar to millions will visit Cheltenham in March for a special evening raising funds for charity. Monty Don, best-known for fronting popular weekly BBC show Gardeners’ World, will be in...
Local Businesses Raise Over £4,000 at Festive Event Supporting Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust
Ballards LLP and Four Squared Recruitment continued their charitable partnership with a successful ‘Jingle and Mingle’ event hosted at Piston Gin Distillery following their charity run initiative last month. The festive gathering attracted over 50 guests...
Level Playing Field For UK Trade Is Vital
Responding to the Government’s proposals for the Trade Remedies Authority and changes to customs charges for low value imports, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “There are still many twists and turns to go in the trade war...
BCC News
Level Playing Field For UK Trade Is Vital
Responding to the Government’s proposals for the Trade Remedies Authority and changes to customs charges for low value imports, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “There are still many twists and turns to go in the trade war...
Worcestershire News
The SVR’s Autumn Diesel Bash goes down well
The Severn Valley Railway has plenty of reasons to be cheerful, after the smooth running and strong attendance at its Autumn Diesel Bash, which took place between 3 and 6 October. In what was billed as ‘an almighty celebration of heritage diesels’, highlights included...
Half-term Adventure Awaits at the Severn Valley Railway
Families can be sure of a warm welcome and an exciting day out at the Severn Valley Railway during the autumn half-term break. The heritage line is open for nine consecutive days of fun, from Saturday 26 October to Sunday 3 November. Hop on board a heritage diesel or...
Herefordshire News
Herefordshire Businesses Urged to Move Fast to Access £630,000 Funding
Businesses across Herefordshire should apply now to a £630,000 funding pot to help them grow and boost their productivity – before it’s too late. Capital grants of up to £35,000 are available to help businesses invest in new equipment, processes or technology to help...
JUNE CHARITY EVENT WILL BRING HAWAIIAN COLOUR TO ‘LEOMINSTER-by-the-SEA’.
Ledbury-based high tech coatings application company Cleftbridge Limited is sponsoring the third annual Colour Run around Leominster, with a theme for 2024 of ‘Hawaiian Beach’. The event is organised by ECHO, an independent Herefordshire-based charity that organizes...
All Latest News
Local Businesses Raise Over £5,000 for Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust
Worcestershire-based firms Ballards LLP and Four Squared Recruitment have raised over £5,000 for the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust through a series of creative and challenging fundraising activities. The campaign ended with a festive “Jingle and...
June 2025 Tech and Digital Degree Apprenticeship Start Dates Available to Develop Your Next Generation Leadership Team
TDM’s next available Degree Apprenticeship start dates are fast approaching, taking place in June 2025 (with additional Summer start dates available in July, August and September). With both their BA (Hons) Digital Marketing Management and BSc (Hons) Digital and...
Second Anonymous Donor Lifts Worcester Student Scholarships and Hardship Funds to More Than £30,000
A second anonymous donor has gifted £2,500 to the University of Worcester’s campaign to raise money to support students through scholarships and hardship funds. They’ve also pledged to gift a further £2,500 to the campaign when Professor Green, the University’s Vice...
UK-India Trade Agreement – A Big Deal For Business
Reacting to news of an agreement in principle for a free trade deal between the UK and India, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and India is a huge boost to our economies and a welcome lift for our exporters....
Limelite HR & Learning Shines Brighter Than Ever with Expert New Hire and Chamber Award Nomination
Worcestershire-based consultancy adds legal expertise as rapid growth continues Limelite HR & Learning, a respected HR consultancy based in Worcestershire, is celebrating a new milestone with the appointment of Laura Weston MCIPD, MA HRM, LL.B (HONS), a qualified...
Global Recognition for Ballards as Partner Joins International Board
Andy Bewick, Corporate & International Partner, Ballards LLP Ballards LLP, the midlands-based accountancy firm, is delighted to announce the appointment of Andy Bewick, Corporate & International Partner, to the prestigious AGN International EMEA Board...
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