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.
Extent Of US Tariff Impact Revealed
62% of UK firms with trade exposure to the USA say they will be negatively impacted by US tariffs, compared to 41% with no exposure 32% of firms with trade exposure to the USA say they will increase prices in response to the tariff 44% of firms with exposure to the...
Latest Article
Extent Of US Tariff Impact Revealed
62% of UK firms with trade exposure to the USA say they will be negatively impacted by US tariffs, compared to 41% with no exposure 32% of firms with trade exposure to the USA say they will increase prices in response to the tariff 44% of firms with exposure to the...
Member News
AI Agents: An Introduction
Artificial Intelligence (AI) agents are emerging as the dominant tech trend for 2025, according to Gartner. These agents harness generative AI, helping businesses realise significant returns on their AI investments by automating complex workflows and augmenting human...
Industrial Supply Co. UK Team Takes on London Landmarks Half Marathon in Support of Mental Health Charity
MSC Industrial Supply Co. UK Team Takes on London Landmarks Half Marathon in Support of Mental Health Charity A dedicated team of runners from MSC Industrial Supply Co. UK is set to take on the London Landmarks Half Marathon on April 6 to raise vital funds for the...
Patron & Strategic News
University Domestic Violence Expert Gives Keynote Address in Malta
An expert from the University of Worcester has given the keynote speech at a conference to mark the 30th Anniversary since the establishment of domestic violence services in Malta. Dr Beverley Gilbert, Senior Lecturer in Domestic/Sexual Violence and Criminology, spoke...
University of Worcester Business School Announce- Help to Grow: Management Course
The University of Worcester Business School are pleased to announce that they are now accepting registrations for the next cohort of the Help to Grow: Management Course, which will begin on Thursday 27th February 2025. Help to Grow: Management is a highly successful,...
Chamber News
Inflation falls again to 7.9%
The UK’s rate of inflation dropped to 7.9% in the year to June, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Inflation is now at its lowest for more than a year, after several months of being stuck around the same level. The Office for National...
Chair’s Report
I would like to reflect on the efforts that the Chamber makes to support our members in the field of International Trade. While only 10% in total of UK business export, 60% of Chamber members operate in global markets – making the local Chambers and the British...
Our Latest Member
Introducing Alentar UK Limited
The Alentar team focus on helping businesses to grow through affordable, professional business services, and specialise in Leadership, Strategic Planning and Implementation, Commercial Development, Technology and Continuous Improvement activities. We have experience...
Introducing Alentar UK Limited
The Alentar team focus on helping businesses to grow through affordable, professional business services, and specialise in Leadership, Strategic Planning and Implementation, Commercial Development, Technology and Continuous Improvement activities. We have experience...
Policy News
Increased furlough contribution to test business resilience
This week employers who are claiming furlough pay for their workers now will have to pay 20% towards the subsidised wages as the Job Retention Scheme continues to gradually wind down. Figures published in July show the fewest number of people on furlough since the...
£7 million fund launched to support more flexible apprenticeship opportunities
Sectors including the creative, agriculture and construction industries can now bid for a share of a £7 million fund to support the creation of new flexible apprenticeships. Apprenticeships are at least 12 months long, so some sectors with flexible employment patterns...
Skills News
The Low Carbon Economy is an opportunity for your Business
Sustainability Experts is a programme being delivered by Worcestershire Business Central, in conjunction with Shrewsbury Business Consulting, to enable the Worcestershire business community to benefit from the opportunity of Net Zero Carbon.
Celebrating careers education in England
Do you know someone who is devoted to driving great careers guidance for young people? What about an organisation that has been steadfast in helping young people during the pandemic? Or do you know a brilliant young person who themselves has focussed on enhancing...
Charity News
Limited tickets remain as first-ever St Michael’s Hospice Messy Runner nears
A Herefordshire charity says it has been blown away by ticket sales ahead of the launch of a new event. St Michael’s Hospice has announced that places for its first-ever Messy Runner on Saturday 17th June are becoming limited after hundreds snapped up tickets shortly...
Record-breaking St Michael’s Hospice Plant Fair raises over £16,000
Record-breaking crowd numbers ensured the St Michael’s Hospice Plant Fair was the most successful in its history. The Bartestree-based charity says more than £16,000 has been raised following the annual two-day event which saw more than 1,700 people attend. A large...
Quarterly Recruitment Outlook: Hiring Difficulties Easing But Significant Concerns Persist
Businesses report recruitment conditions have eased, with fewer firms facing difficulties in hiring 66% of responding firms say they’ve faced challenges finding staff, the lowest percentage in three years Companies in the production and manufacturing...
BCC News
Quarterly Recruitment Outlook: Hiring Difficulties Easing But Significant Concerns Persist
Businesses report recruitment conditions have eased, with fewer firms facing difficulties in hiring 66% of responding firms say they’ve faced challenges finding staff, the lowest percentage in three years Companies in the production and manufacturing...
Worcestershire News
Christmas Sing Out for Malvern & Worcester Food Banks
On Thursday 23rd November, 180 pupils from Primary Schools around Worcestershire gathered at Malvern St James Girls’ School for the “Big Sing”, a celebration of children’s voices. Each child taking part in the Big Sing was encouraged to bring one or more items to...
ROXEL UK Announces Kidderminster Harriers FC Sponsorship
Kidderminster based Roxel UK, a leading manufacturer of tactical propulsion systems is thrilled to announce a dynamic partnership with Kidderminster Harriers FC, one of the leading football clubs in the West Midlands. This exciting collaboration brings together two...
Herefordshire News
The Cottage in the Wood Malvern wins Hotel of the Year award at the Worcestershire Tourism Awards 2023
The 32-bedroom hotel was praised by judges for its environmentally conscious strategy, friendly staff and award winning 1919 Restaurant. Owner, Nick Davies, said: “Winning the Hotel of the Year award is an absolute triumph for us. We are thrilled to have won this...
Firms urged to aim for first-ever King’s Awards for Enterprise
Companies in Herefordshire are invited to an event to launch the first ever King’s Award for Enterprise – the UK’s most prestigious business awards. Tricia Thomas DL, chair of King’s Awards for Enterprise Herefordshire, will host the event on May 18 at the Shell...
All Latest News
Worcestershire Business Leaders Network and Learn at Inaugural Open Day
A leading access management firm shone a light on its services and products when it opened its doors to companies from the fenestration sector. The Key Safe Company’s first ever Fenestration Open Day attracted local door and window businesses eager to know more about...
1500th Armed Forces Covenant milestone reached
West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (RFCA) are pleased to announce their 1500th Armed Forces Covenant signatory as NESO, the National Energy System Operator. The Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have...
University Domestic Violence Expert Gives Keynote Address in Malta
An expert from the University of Worcester has given the keynote speech at a conference to mark the 30th Anniversary since the establishment of domestic violence services in Malta. Dr Beverley Gilbert, Senior Lecturer in Domestic/Sexual Violence and Criminology, spoke...
University of Worcester Business School Announce- Help to Grow: Management Course
The University of Worcester Business School are pleased to announce that they are now accepting registrations for the next cohort of the Help to Grow: Management Course, which will begin on Thursday 27th February 2025. Help to Grow: Management is a highly successful,...
Herefordshire’s New University NMITE Reaches Landmark Funding Agreement
Herefordshire’s pioneering new university project, the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) announced today that it has reached a landmark funding agreement to underwrite its rapid future growth. A group of local donors, Regeneration...
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...
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