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
Kaleidoscope Plus Group Launches Free Ebook to Help Young People Cope with Exam Stress
Mental health and wellbeing charity Kaleidoscope Plus Group has launched a new free digital resource designed to help young people manage stress and anxiety during exam season. The ebook Dealing with Exam Stress has been created to support teenagers and young adults...
Turning health & safety into everyday conversations: why it matters more than you might think
Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time working with health and safety teams. I’ve sat through briefings, workshops and leadership sessions, listening to experts discuss risk, compliance and prevention. And I’ve sometimes come away thinking: “We’re focusing on what...
Patron & Strategic News
Worcestershire’s welcomes new High Sheriff
A former solicitor has been appointed as the new High Sheriff of Worcestershire. Maynard Burton was officially sworn in at a ceremony held at Worcester’s Shirehall on the 15 April. The 69 year-old retired solicitor, who was a partner and chairman at county law firm...
University Opens Doors to Community as Free Children and Families Festival Returns
After attracting more than 800 people last year, the University of Worcester’s Children and Families Festival is returning in May with double the capacity and an even wider range of free activities and support services for families. Tickets are now available for the...
Chamber News
Welcome New Members
Circet Wireless Limited – Circet Ireland & UK are leading providers to the Telecommunications, Transport Infrastructure and Power Sectors in Ireland and the UK. Design in the Shires – Design in the Shires are an award winning website design &...
Enter your Business in the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2025!
Entries for the 2025 business awards are now open! Submitting your business for an award should take no more than 10 minutes and you can enter your business for a maximum of 3 categories. The awards are set to be hosted on the 12th June 2025 at the Worcester Arena,...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members
The warmest welcome to our newest Members: Ansonware – Software development and IT consultancy company Apeiron Consulting Ltd – Portfolio Cheif Financial Officer and Consultancy Attain Auditing Ltd – ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems Lead Auditor...
Welcome New Members
The warmest welcome to our newest Members: Ansonware – Software development and IT consultancy company Apeiron Consulting Ltd – Portfolio Cheif Financial Officer and Consultancy Attain Auditing Ltd – ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems Lead Auditor...
Policy News
EU Reset Must Cut Shackles From Business
The British Chambers of Commerce is calling for Monday’s EU reset summit to mark a sea change in the UK’s trade relationship with Europe so business can prosper. The BCC wants to see seven vital changes made to the Brexit deal which are based on its four years of...
Vacancies Still Falling As Wages Outpace Inflation
Responding to the latest labour market data, published by the ONS this morning, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “This data suggests some loosening in the jobs market with vacancies staying below pre-pandemic levels...
Skills News
Construction Employer’s Evening at Kidderminster College – You’re Invited!
Kidderminster College is hosting its first ever Construction Employer’s Evening and you’re invited! They will have tutors, students and the college employer engagement team on hand to speak with you about all the ways in which Kidderminster College can help your...
DRPG and University of Wolverhampton: Inspiring the next generation of award-winning designers
The University of Wolverhampton first partnered with local creative communications group, DRPG, for their graphic design industry expertise back in 2017. Since then, the global agency has continued to visit the University’s School of Art, inspiring graphic design...
Charity News
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,...
National Supported Lodgings Week: Could You Open Your Door to Change a Young Life?
This November (9th–16th) marks National Supported Lodgings Week, celebrating the incredible role ordinary people play in providing safe and supportive homes for young people who might otherwise face homelessness. Through St Basils Supported Lodgings scheme,...
New Plan Needed As Fresh Tariff Pain Hits
The British Chambers of Commerce is urging the government to adopt its six-point plan to support UK exporters as the US President’s new 15 per cent tariff kicks in. Thousands of British businesses are expected to be worse off as they see the tariff paid on their...
BCC News
New Plan Needed As Fresh Tariff Pain Hits
The British Chambers of Commerce is urging the government to adopt its six-point plan to support UK exporters as the US President’s new 15 per cent tariff kicks in. Thousands of British businesses are expected to be worse off as they see the tariff paid on their...
Worcestershire News
Entrepreneurs with early-stage tech ideas invited to participate in a new technology incubator programme
Building on the success of BetaDen Accelerate, the award-winning technology accelerator programme, and with Intake 1.0 of their new programme well underway, BetaDen is excited to announce the opening of recruitment for Intake 2.0 of their incubator programme,...
Volunteer’s Classic Car Goes the Full Distance as the SVR Celebrates 40 years for Kidderminster Town Station
Marking Kidderminster Town station’s 40th anniversary on 27 and 28 July will be an extra cause for celebration for one of the Severn Valley Railway’s volunteers. Peter Darkin will be exhibiting his beloved Morris Minor car outside the station during the commemorative...
Herefordshire News
Marches LEP Awards Nearly £340,000 of Energy Grants in Green Boost for Business
Nearly £340,000 in grants has been awarded across the Marches under a new scheme to improve energy efficiency and drive down carbon emissions. Thirty companies and community groups across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin have been awarded the funding...
Damson Nº12 Liqueur, A Toast to Herefordshire’s Rich Agricultural Legacy
A fruit synonymous with the British countryside, the Damson fruit has long been a symbol of tradition and a testament to the rich agricultural history of regions like Herefordshire. Steeped in tradition and history, Gattertop Drinks damson vodka liqueur captures the...
All Latest News
BCRS Business Loans allocated £20m by the British Business Bank to support businesses across the West Midlands and Wales
Community lender BCRS Business Loans has been allocated £20m by the British Business Bank to support underserved small businesses across the West Midlands and Wales. Wolverhampton-based BCRS Business Loans is the sixth lender to be accredited by the British Business...
University of Worcester Shortlisted for Two WhatUni Student Choice Awards
The University of Worcester has been shortlisted for two awards in the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2026: Career Prospects and Halls and Student Accommodation. The shortlistings reflect the University’s strong commitment to providing an outstanding student...
New SVR Summer Gala to feature rare ‘Witch’ class locomotive
The Severn Valley Railway has announced an exciting new addition to its events calendar with the launch of its Summer Gala, taking place on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July. The two-day rail celebration will showcase a lively mix of steam and heritage diesel traction,...
Recruitment Challenging As New Employment Law Lands
Nearly three quarters of firms (71%) say they experienced hiring difficulties in Q1 of 2026, according to the latest data from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). The research, published as the first elements of the Employment Rights Act come into effect,...
HCR Law marks strategic growth with record number of promotions
Top 50 UK firm HCR Law has promoted more than 100 colleagues across its business services and private client teams, marking the firm’s biggest promotion round to date. Promotions take effect from 1 April 2026, recognising more than 100 lawyers and support...
Smart Accountancy Solutions joins with Ballards to strengthen Worcestershire team and SME offering
Left to right: James Syree and Mark Smith Ballards, one of the Midlands fastest growing independent business advisory, consultancy and accountancy firms, has further strengthened its presence in Worcester and the wider Worcestershire region as Smart Accountancy...
Become a Chamber Member!
Contact our Chamber Membership team to find out how we can help your business.






















