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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.

Building Careers in Commercial Insurance: Apprentice Harry’s Success Story
Hazelton Mountford is proud to celebrate Apprentice Harry’s recent promotion. Joining in 2023, Harry quickly progressed from Apprentice to Small Business Account Handler while working toward his Cert CII qualification. He has already passed two exams and is...
Latest Article
Building Careers in Commercial Insurance: Apprentice Harry’s Success Story
Hazelton Mountford is proud to celebrate Apprentice Harry’s recent promotion. Joining in 2023, Harry quickly progressed from Apprentice to Small Business Account Handler while working toward his Cert CII qualification. He has already passed two exams and is...
Member News
Leaders In Strategy Blog – Why People Are NOT Your Greatest Asset!
Written by Mike Harris, Managing Director at Strategus Consulting Introduction Hello to all you Leaders In Strategy! I’m Mike Harris and welcome back to the latest episode of my blog, where I challenge the widely held belief that employees are a company’s most...
Local Businesswoman Jeevan Punj joins Mike Harris on the latest Leaders In Strategy Podcast.
Business consultants Strategus Consulting are excited to announce that award winning entrepreneur, businesswoman and founder of Elite Hampers Jeevan Punj is joining host Mike Harris on the latest edition of the Leaders In Strategy Podcast – ‘Advice on how to start a...
Patron & Strategic News
Effective Financial Management for Property Developers
Managing cash flow is crucial for UK property developers, particularly as they operate in a market characterised by fluctuating demand and shifting market conditions. Without careful planning and strategic financial management, even the best projects can run into cash...
EBC Group Launches THEMIS: The Future of Legacy Evidence Management for UK Policing
Revolutionising how law enforcement preserves and accesses historical evidence EBC Group, a trusted managed service provider celebrating over 35 years of IT and cybersecurity expertise, is proud to announce the launch of its groundbreaking THEMIS capability and...
Chamber 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...
Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey now open
Our latest Quarterly Economic Survey is now open. Click here to take part. Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce represent the views of our members to national government, ensuring that the business case drives government policy. A great benefit of...
Our Latest Member
Welcome B Smith Packaging (Worcester) Ltd to the Chamber
B Smith Packaging has been a specialist in the packaging field for over 50 years. We pride ourselves on offering a bespoke, cost-effective, sustainable, and personalised service to our clients to enable them to promote their brand and business to their consumers in...

Welcome B Smith Packaging (Worcester) Ltd to the Chamber
B Smith Packaging has been a specialist in the packaging field for over 50 years. We pride ourselves on offering a bespoke, cost-effective, sustainable, and personalised service to our clients to enable them to promote their brand and business to their consumers in...
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
Pershore land-based service engineering apprentices hit perfect pass rate
Land-based service engineering apprentices at Pershore College have achieved a 100 per cent pass rate on their end point assessments (EPAs) for the first ever time. Pershore College, which is part of WCG, is the only provider of the apprenticeship standard in...
New government Kickstart scheme creates over 19,000 work placements
The Treasury has announced that the government’s jobs scheme for young people has helped to create more than 19,000 work placements across the UK so far. The Kickstart Scheme was first announced in July in order to tackle the rising unemployment due to the coronavirus...
Charity News
Worcestershire Community Foundation and WMPCC launch Inclusive Communities Fund
Partnering with West Mercia Police & Crime Commission (WMPCC), Worcestershire Community Foundation is opening up a new grant funding opportunity for grassroots community organisations across Worcestershire. With £100,000 of funding, the Inclusive Communities Fund...
St Michael’s Hospice to open third shop in Ross-on-Wye
St Michael’s Hospice is preparing to open its latest new store in Ross-on-Wye, which will be packed with affordable pre-loved treasures. The Cantilupe Road store (HR9 7AN) will be the third St Michael’s Hospice shop in Ross-on-Wye when it opens next Tuesday...

Midlands LSIP Celebration
The progress made in tackling labour and skills shortages in the Midlands will be outlined at an event in the region in September. Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) have been designed to put employers at the heart of skills provision in their local area, to...
BCC News
Midlands LSIP Celebration
The progress made in tackling labour and skills shortages in the Midlands will be outlined at an event in the region in September. Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) have been designed to put employers at the heart of skills provision in their local area, to...
Worcestershire News
WCWFC’s Rise: A Winning Streak and an FA Cup Challenge
In an unprecedented feat, Worcester City Women FC has secured a spot in the Second Round Proper of the FA Cup, marking a historic moment for the club. The draw pits them against third-tier powerhouse MK Dons, and the clash promises to be a thrilling encounter on...
See Your Lost Loved One Shine as Charity’s Special Festive Celebration Returns
A moving celebration will see the memory of lost loved ones shine this Christmas with the return of a special festive campaign from Acorns Children’s Hospice. Celebrate Your Star invites friends and family members from across Worcestershire to pay tribute to...
Herefordshire News
Here For Games Con: Free Inclusive Charity Games Convention
The Herefordshire Board Gamers are back for their 9th Annual Event – but with a brand new name. People from across the two counties are invited to “Here for Games Con”, a free inclusive charity games convention raising money for Herefordshire Mind. The event is taking...
Meet Your Future Apprentice – Tuesday 25th April 2023
If you’re looking for apprentices in the Construction trades (Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrical, Brickwork, Property Maintenance) or Engineering & Motor Vehicle, Herefordshire & Ludlow College invites you to meet the students on their related courses at...
All Latest News
Worcestershire Apprenticeships Penguin Finds Home with Local Training Provider
Worcestershire Apprenticeships’ very own penguin in the great Waddle of Worcester has found a home with local training provider GLP Training. In the summer of 2024, St Richard’s Hospice delivered the great Waddle of Worcester, a penguin-themed art trail around the...
ISO QSL Welcomes Adam Morse as Business Development Specialist
ISO Quality Services is delighted to announce the expansion of its team with the appointment of Adam Morse as Business Development Specialist. A familiar face across the Herefordshire and Worcestershire business community, Adam brings a wealth of experience and an...
From Learners to Leaders – Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2025
It’s National Apprenticeship Week 2025, and we’ve picked our own theme this year, to showcase the journey (our) apprentices take as they evolve on the job – From Learners to Leaders. Apprenticeships are more than just earning a qualification; they’re about...
Big Match Ahead for University’s Women’s Football Team
The University of Worcester’s Women’s Football Team is preparing for a crucial match that could secure them a spot in the final of a prestigious competition. A victory against the University of Birmingham on Wednesday, February 19, would mark their first...
Mobile app developed by BCU and University of Worcester will Revolutionise Care for Babies with Complex Heart Disease
Life-saving support for babies with complex heart disease will soon be available at the touch of a button, thanks to the development of a new monitoring and reporting app for parents. The project is co-led by Dr Chris Bowers, Principal Lecturer in Computing at the...
Over 275,000 trees planted in the West Midlands over the last three years
Over 275,000 trees have been planted in the West Midlands as part of an ambitious three-year project to benefit the environment and local communities. The Heart of England Forest, in partnership with Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Warwick District Council and...
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