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.
UK Government Strategic Defence Review 2025 Briefing by British Chambers of Commerce – June 2025
The Strategic Defence Review, chaired by former Defence Secretary and NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson of Port Ellen alongside General Sir Richard Barrons and Dr Fiona Hill, was launched by the Prime Minister in Glasgow on 2 June. It sets out 62 recommendations...
Latest Article
UK Government Strategic Defence Review 2025 Briefing by British Chambers of Commerce – June 2025
The Strategic Defence Review, chaired by former Defence Secretary and NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson of Port Ellen alongside General Sir Richard Barrons and Dr Fiona Hill, was launched by the Prime Minister in Glasgow on 2 June. It sets out 62 recommendations...
Member News
Funding and Intellectual Property
The link between funding and intellectual property rights is often underestimated, and having a patent can do more for you than just keep your competitors at bay. R&D Tax Credits R&D tax credits are a government incentive designed to reward companies for...
Why don’t UK innovators file enough patents?
Many SMEs understand the value of patents, and routinely file patent applications to protect their innovation. However, UK innovators are lagging behind those in many other countries when it comes to patent ownership. Japan is, unsurprisingly, one of the leading...
Patron & Strategic News
Join the Movement: Inclusive Sporting Events Make Sure No Kid Gets ‘Left on the Bench’
Pupils from special and mainstream schools around Worcester spent a morning taking part in inclusive sports at the University of Worcester, led by a charity founder with a unique vision. Supported by students from the University, around 70 pupils formed teams to...
University Provost Shortlisted for National Award Recognising Those ‘Breaking Down Barriers’
A former primary school teacher turned teacher educator has been shortlisted for a national award recognising her impact on the school sector. Ann Jordan, who is now Provost at the University of Worcester, is shortlisted in the Purpose Coalition’s Breaking Down...
Chamber News
BCC Trade Manifesto – International Trade Vital For UK Growth
The British Chambers of Commerce has called for Government to focus on boosting services, advanced manufacturing, green and digital trade if it wants to hit its £1tn trade target. The move comes as research shows SME exports continue to languish: In...
Chamber achieve Employer Recognition Scheme Gold award!
The Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) award recognises companies for their support to the Armed Forces community, including Reservists, veterans, spouses, Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers and cadets. Gold award holders must demonstrate a number of positive measures and...
Our Latest Member
Welcome new Members!
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest Members! Herefordshire Calming Connections Ltd – Developing a positive mental health environment for the benefit of everyone Eight Three Eight – Search Engine Optimisation Packages, WordPress Training...
Welcome new Members!
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest Members! Herefordshire Calming Connections Ltd – Developing a positive mental health environment for the benefit of everyone Eight Three Eight – Search Engine Optimisation Packages, WordPress Training...
Policy News
Spring Statement 2022 at a glance
With the cost-of-living squeeze at the forefront of the minds of households and businesses, Chancellor Rishi Sunak used his Spring Statement to steady the economic ship being battered by waves of soaring inflation, petrol and energy bills, rising interest rates, tax...
Launching the 2022/23 Chamber Business Manifesto
The recent Economic Conference included the launch of the Chamber Manifesto for 2022/2023. The Manifesto outlines activities that the Chamber will undertake to represent the interests and address the challenges faced by our Membership. These challenges have been...
Skills News
BCC responds to changes to the government’s Kickstart scheme
Responding to changes to the government’s Kickstart scheme, including removing the 30 job threshold for employers, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the BCC said:
Careers helpline remains open to young people in Worcestershire
Schools and colleges may be closed, but the careers helpline set up to support young people during the pandemic remains open to young people in Worcestershire. Run by Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire LEP, the joint careers helpline is continuing to...
Charity News
Worcestershire Breast Unit welcomes metastatic Kate Nurse
The Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven charity, the only breast cancer charity in Worcestershire, has announced that it is funding a newly created nursing role caring specifically for patients in Worcestershire with stage 4 breast cancer. This nurse is being funded for...
Vamos Theatre Tours Sharing Joy, a colourful, interactive performance, to local care homes.
Worcester-based Vamos Theatre, the UK’s leading full mask theatre company, is to take its popular show, Sharing Joy, out on the road this June to visit care homes and other venues in Worcestershire. Sharing Joy is a vibrant and colourful interactive performance...
BCC In Trade Reset Push With EU Ambassadors
The BCC has met with Ambassadors from across the EU to make the case for a trade relations reset that benefits businesses on both sides. Director General, Shevaun Haviland, and Head of Trade Policy, William Bain, were hosted, this afternoon, at the German Embassy by...
BCC News
BCC In Trade Reset Push With EU Ambassadors
The BCC has met with Ambassadors from across the EU to make the case for a trade relations reset that benefits businesses on both sides. Director General, Shevaun Haviland, and Head of Trade Policy, William Bain, were hosted, this afternoon, at the German Embassy by...
Worcestershire News
Property Consultancy Supports Engineering Company to Double in Size
An engineering company is set to double in size after signing a lease on a new premises in Worcester. Sierra CP Engineering Ltd, which designs and builds world-class engine and vehicle test facilities, is set to move to Worcester Six Business Park in spring 2024 after...
A warm welcome to Holistic HR who have joined the chamber
Holistic HR – Independant HR services, focusing on running bullying and banter workshops, as well as other training sessions related to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. We also support businesses with their HR needs on a retainer basis, or for ad-hoc projects....
Herefordshire News
Hereford event will take the mystery out of innovation
Businesses from across the Marches are being invited to a free event which will take some of the mystery out of innovation. The Marches Growth Hub and Innovate UK have teamed up to stage the workshop in Hereford next month to give businesses an expert insight into how...
Rotherwood Honoured with Four ‘Top 20 Awards’ with carehome.co.uk.
Rotherwood Healthcare has celebrated receiving a ‘Top 20 Care Home Group’ Award with carehome.co.uk, whilst its care homes in Herefordshire and Worcestershire: Dorset House, Gwen Walford and Kington Court received ‘Top 20 Awards’, positioning them in the top twenty...
All Latest News
Join the Movement: Inclusive Sporting Events Make Sure No Kid Gets ‘Left on the Bench’
Pupils from special and mainstream schools around Worcester spent a morning taking part in inclusive sports at the University of Worcester, led by a charity founder with a unique vision. Supported by students from the University, around 70 pupils formed teams to...
Opportunity to Become a Governor at Holy Trinity School, Kidderminster
Holy Trinity School is a thriving, all-through school in Kidderminster, providing high-quality education for students from Reception to Sixth Form. With a history spanning over 120 years, the school has evolved significantly from its independent school heritage,...
Planning and Infrastructure Reform Must Benefit Business
Responding to the unveiling of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the BCC, said: “It’s encouraging to see the Government has heeded our calls to tackle the problems of the UK’s worn-out infrastructure to fire...
US Tariffs Hit UK Business
Reacting to the introduction of 25 percent tariffs on exports of UK steel and aluminium to the United States, William Bain, BCC Head of Trade Policy, said: “This is a difficult day for trans-Atlantic trade and plunges businesses, in both the US and UK, into a new age...
Small plates having a big impact at Brockencote Hall Hotel
Brockencote Hall Hotel has unveiled its new Petit Plates menu featuring an array of British produce across 13 different plates. Menu favourites include pork belly, soy and honey; as well as beef sirloin with chimichurri and pitta; market fish with spinach and caper...
University Provost Shortlisted for National Award Recognising Those ‘Breaking Down Barriers’
A former primary school teacher turned teacher educator has been shortlisted for a national award recognising her impact on the school sector. Ann Jordan, who is now Provost at the University of Worcester, is shortlisted in the Purpose Coalition’s Breaking Down...
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