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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.
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Half of SMEs Using AI -With Limited Headcount Impact So Far
More than half of UK firms (54%) are now actively using AI, according to new research by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in partnership with Atos, showing a major jump in tech adoption. Previous BCC research found that 35% of firms were using AI in 2025, up...
Latest Article
Half of SMEs Using AI -With Limited Headcount Impact So Far
More than half of UK firms (54%) are now actively using AI, according to new research by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in partnership with Atos, showing a major jump in tech adoption. Previous BCC research found that 35% of firms were using AI in 2025, up...
Member News
HydroShunter launched at Kidderminster as UK’s first hydrogen-powered shunting locomotive enters the market Date: 26 February 2026
Vanguard Sustainable Transport Solutions and the Severn Valley Railway today (Thursday 26 February) marked a major milestone in railway decarbonisation with the official launch to market of the UK’s first hydrogen-powered railway shunting locomotive, unveiled at the...
Steam trains set the pace for new multi-sport challenge in the Severn Valley
The Severn Valley Railway is delighted to support an exciting new multi-sport event, Steaming Down the Valley, taking place at Severn Valley Country Park on Saturday 6 June 2026. Hosted by Shropshire Council and organised by a dedicated team of local volunteers, this...
Patron & Strategic News
Speller Metcalfe: Building Excellence Across Worcestershire and Herefordshire
Speller Metcalfe is a leading regional construction company with deep roots in Worcestershire and Herefordshire, and a proud heritage spanning 30 years. Established in 1995, the business has grown into an award-winning contractor delivering complex, high-quality...
NMITE AND THE BRITISH ARMY ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT TO LAUNCH REVOLUTIONARY UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE IN AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS
The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) has reached a landmark agreement with the UK Armed Forces to develop a groundbreaking new undergraduate degree in Autonomous Systems which will be set to welcome its first students in September 2026. Built...
Chamber News
Chair’s Report
I have just read a piece of research by Potter Spaces and Savills, highlighted by Sam Merrett – Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce’s Policy Executive – that I feel very nicely sums up the lack of smaller to medium size industrial spaces...
NEW MODEL INSTITUTE FOR TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING (NMITE) ANNOUNCES NEW CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER
NMITE has confirmed the appointment of David Oloke as its new Chief Academic Officer and first Professor of Civil Engineering. David will take up the role and the leadership of NMITE’s academic mission in February 2024, an exciting year for NMITE as it will see its...
Our Latest Member
Introducing Grange Court
Grange Court is a Grade II* listed timber-framed market hall built by John Abel in 1633. It is just off the centre of the ancient town of Leominster in parkland which was once part of the Leominster Priory farm. Following extensive renovation ten years ago, it is now...
Introducing Grange Court
Grange Court is a Grade II* listed timber-framed market hall built by John Abel in 1633. It is just off the centre of the ancient town of Leominster in parkland which was once part of the Leominster Priory farm. Following extensive renovation ten years ago, it is now...
Policy News
Inflation eases further but food prices remain high
Inflation fell below double digits for the first time since August this morning (24/05), according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Inflation was 8.7% in April, down from 10.1% the previous month. However, despite the improvement, the figure is above the...
Unfilled Jobs Still Holding Back Economy
Reacting to the latest ONS Labour Market data issued today, BCC Head of People Policy, Jane Gratton, said: “Skills shortages and unfilled job vacancies are the stark reality for many businesses across all sectors and regions. “We still have more than a million job...
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
Primrose Hospice’s Journey to Sustainability
Primrose Hospice and Family Support Centre has recently completed an 18-month transformation towards sustainability and environmental responsibility. This ambitious journey has seen the installation of solar panels and the connection to a biomass boiler, marking...
Tributes to Much Loved Former Mayoress
Former Mayoress, Rachel Hall, has died after suffering with breast cancer since 2021. Rachel’s partner, Councillor Adrian Gregson was mayor of Worcester in 2022/23. He said: “We always knew some aspects of the Mayoress role would be challenging but the...
Turning Point As More SMEs Unlock AI
Over a third of SMEs (35%) say they are actively using AI technology, up from 25% in 2024 – according to research by the British Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with Intuit, the global financial technology platform. The research, featured in a new report, also...
BCC News
Turning Point As More SMEs Unlock AI
Over a third of SMEs (35%) say they are actively using AI technology, up from 25% in 2024 – according to research by the British Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with Intuit, the global financial technology platform. The research, featured in a new report, also...
Worcestershire News
Make Your New Year’s Resolution to Support Lifeline Care at Acorns Children’s Hospice
‘Do something amazing and help us provide vital care for local children with life limiting conditions’ – that’s the New Year’s resolution the public are being asked to make for Acorns Children’s Hospice in 2024. There are lots of ways people can make a...
Wyre Forest IT Firm Donates to Local Foodbank
Local IT firm Minster Micro has donated food and toiletries to Kidderminster Foodbank as the need grows for emergency supplies this Christmas. The staff at the IT firm, which is based on Worcester Road, has come together to collect food and toiletry parcels for the...
Herefordshire News
Local lady inspired to join the Home Instead team
Award winning local home care company, Home Instead Hereford, are celebrating the appointment of Deb Evans, a local lady whose personal experience with home care has inspired her to join the Home Instead team. It was after Home Instead cared for her grandmother, that...
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...
All Latest News
Hayward Wright Accountancy & Advisory partners with Worcester City Football Club
Worcester-based, full-service accountancy and advisory firm Hayward Wright Accountancy & Advisory has announced a partnership with Worcester City Football Club. The firm has entered a 12-month partnership and sponsorship programme with the football club as a...
Entrepreneur Launches Sustainability App to Help Universities Go Green
A student has launched a brand-new sustainability app, after securing funding from her university. Carolina Furtado is currently completing her Master’s in Computer Sciences at the University of Worcester, having already graduated in Business and Finance, also from...
Business relief after Government U-turns on day-one unfair dismissal rights
Employment lawyers have reacted positively to the Government’s U-turn on day-one unfair dismissal rights – but urged businesses to seek expert guidance to prepare for wide-ranging workplace reforms. Labour had made a controversial manifesto commitment to offer all...
University of Worcester Marks 20 Years of Pioneering Education and Advocacy to End Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence
The University of Worcester has marked two decades of ground breaking work in tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence through education, research, and advocacy. The milestone event brought together alumni of the University’s pioneering Master’s programme,...
Parents encouraged to spot signs and symptoms of childhood cancer to help early detection
A childhood cancer charity is encouraging parents to become more aware of the early signs and symptoms of cancer among children, after research showed low levels of recognition. With only three out of 10 parents feeling able to spot the signs and symptoms of childhood...
Why We Love Christmas Songs, and the Fascinating Fantasy Science of Christmas!
Why do the same Christmas songs return every year? And what would it actually take for reindeer to achieve flight? These questions will be answered in a free public talk at The Hive next week, hosted by experts from the University of Worcester. Lou Aimes-Hill,...
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