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.

Make Strides – A Digital-First Learning and Development Company
Make Strides is a digital-first learning and development company, helping people and organisations grow with purpose, clarity, and confidence. We specialise in early careers and leadership development, offering bite-size, engaging and accredited digital programmes...
Latest Article
Make Strides – A Digital-First Learning and Development Company
Make Strides is a digital-first learning and development company, helping people and organisations grow with purpose, clarity, and confidence. We specialise in early careers and leadership development, offering bite-size, engaging and accredited digital programmes...
Member News
Liam continues to punch above his weight
Chamber member and rising boxing star Liam O’Hare added another exciting win to his professional record with a third-round victory over Dennis Grant on Saturday 7th June. The contest at the Birmingham Airport Holiday inn NEC ended with a TKO (technical knock out) when...
Research Sheds Light on Abuse Faced by Runners
A University of Worcester study has identified incidents of runners being shouted at from cars, chased by dogs, and having items thrown at them while out exercising. The new research asked people who run regularly in the county for their experiences of harassment and...
Patron & Strategic News
University Academic to Give Insights in Historical Fiction Discussion
Two writing experts will be sharing their insights on how to turn historical facts into fiction at a special event this week. University of Worcester Lecturer in Creative Writing, Dr Ruth Stacey, and best-selling author Barbara Erskine will take part in a discussion...
Children and Families Festival a Hit
Hundreds of people attended the first ever Children and Families Festival at the University of Worcester over the weekend. The free event, which took place on Saturday (31st May) was organised by staff and students and was held at the University’s Lakeside Campus....
Chamber News
Quarterly Economic Survey for Q2 is now live!
The Quarterly Economic Survey is among the largest business surveys in the UK, making it a key resource for the government to conduct case studies and access up-to-date statistics on businesses across the UK. The Survey consists of questions on several topics,...
Welcome new Members
Warm welcome to our newest Members! C5 Leadership Ltd – Leadership Development Consultancy, Executive (1-2-1) and Team Coach Country & Classic Properties Ltd – Estate Agents Specialising in Period & Character Properties Coventry, Warwickshire and...
Our Latest Member
Welcome new Members – April
Warmest welcome to our newest Members: Abacus Nursery School ( Bromsgrove) Limited – Early Years Care and Education provider. Aspenify UK Limited – Aspenify offers a low-code digital platform that enables organisations to scale innovation, accelerate...

Welcome new Members – April
Warmest welcome to our newest Members: Abacus Nursery School ( Bromsgrove) Limited – Early Years Care and Education provider. Aspenify UK Limited – Aspenify offers a low-code digital platform that enables organisations to scale innovation, accelerate...
Policy News
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...
Pace of Immigration Changes Must Work for Business
Responding to the publication of the Immigration White Paper, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy, at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Businesses are keen to unlock more home-grown talent and will welcome the broad direction of travel in today’s White...
Skills News
BetaDen Expands to New Base in Kidderminster’s Historic Old Court
BetaDen, Worcestershire’s award-winning provider of support programmes for technology businesses and entrepreneurs, is expanding its footprint with a new base in the north of the county at the newly renovated Old Court in Kidderminster. This move marks an exciting new...
‘Credit to Nursing’ Lecturer Wins Prestigious Nomination
A senior lecturer at the University of Worcester has been shortlisted for a prestigious prize at the British Journal of Nursing Awards. Dr Paul-John Alegado is in the running for the Educator Nurse of the Year award, which celebrates nurses who have demonstrated...
Charity 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...
Charitable Initiatives in ONE Creative environments’ 50th Year
As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, multi-disciplinary design company, ONE Creative environments (ONE), is undertaking a variety of charitable initiatives. In April, these efforts included donating 50 Easter eggs to the local Food Bank and funding and...

BCC Economic Forecast: Growth Upgraded But Concern Over Two Speed Economy
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Forecast (QEF) has increased growth predictions for 2025, but the UK economy will remain sluggish. Better-than-expected business investment in Q1 is forecast to boost GDP across 2025. Inflation is projected to...
BCC News
BCC Economic Forecast: Growth Upgraded But Concern Over Two Speed Economy
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Forecast (QEF) has increased growth predictions for 2025, but the UK economy will remain sluggish. Better-than-expected business investment in Q1 is forecast to boost GDP across 2025. Inflation is projected to...
Worcestershire News
Rip-roaring fun as the Severn Valley Railway steps back to the 1940s
The Severn Valley Railway is recreating the spirit of the British Home Front across two weekends in June, for its ever-popular Step Back to the 1940s events. On 7/8 June and 14/15 June, the heritage line is hosting a festival of forties-themed fun, with music,...
Roster grows for SVR’s Spring Diesel Festival
A matching pair of guests are to join the line-up at the Severn Valley Railway’s Spring Diesel Festival. Colas have agreed to send two of their Class 56s to appear at the four-day event between 15 and 18 May. They join the already-confirmed visitor list, which...
Herefordshire News
Paul Harris Tackles 100km Sahara Trek for Hope For Tomorrow
Paul Harris, founder and principal consultant at Coacto, recently traded the comforts of the office for the scorching sands of the Sahara Desert. His mission? To trek 100 kilometers and raise vital funds for Hope For Tomorrow, a charity that brings mobile cancer care...
Unlocking Marketing Potential with Mailchimp and Salesforce
At Coacto, we specialise in implementing solutions that empower businesses to streamline processes and maximise the power of Salesforce. As a Salesforce implementation partner, we bring together best-in-class tools to enhance customer relationship management (CRM) and...
All Latest News
From Worcester to Wembley! Former city student leads AFC Wimbledon’s League One Return.
A former University of Worcester student is preparing for the 2025–26 season as AFC Wimbledon’s Director of Football, having helped guide the club to promotion via the League Two play-offs. Craig Cope, 32, has been the youngest Director of Football in the English...
UK Spared New US Tariffs
Responding to confirmation that new US tariffs on steel and aluminium should not affect UK exports, William Bain, the BCC’s Head of Trade Policy, said: “UK firms exporting steel or aluminium goods to the US will be relieved that tariffs will not double today. They now...
BCC Economic Forecast: Growth Upgraded But Concern Over Two Speed Economy
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Forecast (QEF) has increased growth predictions for 2025, but the UK economy will remain sluggish. Better-than-expected business investment in Q1 is forecast to boost GDP across 2025. Inflation is projected to...
Meet Herefordshire wine maker & sample wines at Hellens Garden Festival charity fundraiser
VISITORS to Hellens Garden Festival this weekend will be able to meet the team from an artisan Herefordshire wine maker and taste its award-winning products while also fundraising for charity (June 2025). Foxbury Fields Vineyard is at Hellens Manor, Much Marcle on...
Valley Railway delivers ‘biggest diesel gala of the year’
The Severn Valley Railway’s Spring Diesel Festival between 15 and 18 May welcomed more than 3,700 visitors and saw 20 locomotives in action, for what organisers believe was 2025’s largest diesel event on the preservation circuit. ‘What a fantastic show we put on!’...
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce work with Crosby Associates Media to relaunch Business Direction Magazine
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce are delighted to announce their new partnership with Crosby Media Associates. The Chamber and Crosby Media will collaborate closely to ensure a seamless transition toward the end of 2025, with October/November and...
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