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.

O’Hare vs Dennis: Big Fight Night set for June
Chamber Member Liam O’Hare faces Grant Dennis on Saturday, 7th June at the Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport—and Chamber of Commerce Members can access exclusive discounts on table bookings for this premium boxing event. This high-stakes clash is billed as a true 50/50....
Latest Article
O’Hare vs Dennis: Big Fight Night set for June
Chamber Member Liam O’Hare faces Grant Dennis on Saturday, 7th June at the Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport—and Chamber of Commerce Members can access exclusive discounts on table bookings for this premium boxing event. This high-stakes clash is billed as a true 50/50....
Member News
Find out the secrets of the Severn Valley Railway!
The Severn Valley Railway is to throw open its doors on 5 and 6 April for its annual Open House Weekend. This is a rare chance for visitors to access many areas not usually open to the public. They’ll also be able to meet volunteers and discover what goes on behind...
Early Years Conference Marks Launch of University Centre in Worcester
The work of early years professionals in the county was the topic of a conference which marked the launch of a new University Centre at Heart of Worcestershire College. The internationally renowned author, Ben Kingston-Hughes, who has written several early years...
Patron & Strategic News
New Partnership for Women’s Cricket at Worcester
The Women’s Cricket Team at the University of Worcester has joined forces with a national campaign to fight sexism in the world of sport. They’ve partnered with Her Game Too, which aims to create inclusive environments for players while raising awareness of women’s...
Research Aims to Improve Support for UK Armed Forces Families
A senior psychologist at the University of Worcester is leading a new national research project aiming to improve support for UK Armed Forces families. Dr Gabriela Misca was the co-author of a landmark report, published five years ago, which highlighted the unique...
Chamber News
New Prime Minister Must Listen to Businesses After a Period of Damaging Uncertainty
Reacting to the news of Rishi Sunak being announced as the new Leader of the Conservative Party, and new Prime Minister, Sam Merrett, Policy Executive at Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: “I would like to congratulate Rishi Sunak on his...
New ‘Rail Trails’ Design Project Begins
A new collaboration to help develop a set of ‘Rail Trails’ in the region has begun between the Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership, the Worcester Ramblers and a University of Worcester academic. The trails are walking routes that link railway...
Our Latest Member
Introduction to Kev Thomas – Enterprise
My name is Kev Thomas from Enterprise. I represent the Business Rental department and work with businesses helping them to realise the business value in tackling ground transportation costs. Our ability to offer several types of products under one brand enables us to...

Introduction to Kev Thomas – Enterprise
My name is Kev Thomas from Enterprise. I represent the Business Rental department and work with businesses helping them to realise the business value in tackling ground transportation costs. Our ability to offer several types of products under one brand enables us to...
Policy News
Innovate UK launches Creative Industries Fund
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is investing up to £2.5 million in innovation projects. The funding is from the £750m COVID support fund to help businesses bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic. UK registered micro and small businesses in the...
Herefordshire Area Council May Update
The Chamber hosts two Area Councils, one in Worcestershire and one in Herefordshire. Each Area Council consists of 15 specialists, from different sectors, who meet six times a year to provide feedback from their respective professions. The feedback is then used to...
Skills News
BCC/Totaljobs: Budget must address critical skills shortages to ‘level up’ UK growth
Over half of UK firms attempted to recruit in the last quarter of 2019, but almost three quarters have struggled to find the right talent, the largest survey of UK employers has found. Labour market remains stable as over half (55%) of UK businesses attempted to...
BCC comments on Migration Advisory Committee’s report
Commenting on the release of the Migration Advisory Committee’s report on the UK’s immigration system, published today, BCC Head of People Policy Jane Gratton said: “Businesses want a flexible immigration system that provides access to the staff they need, without...
Charity News
The Big Give Christmas Challenge: Engineering life-changing bursaries
NMITE has been selected to participate in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, the UK’s largest match funding campaign. Between the 29 November and the 6 December 2022, NMITE will be raising money to provide life-changing bursaries to students from Herefordshire joining...
Vamos Theatre welcomes Learning Intern thanks to support from the Mo Siewcharran Fund
Vamos Theatre is delighted to announce the appointment of Carden Stapleton as an Intern in its Learning and Participation department, after being successful in a funding bid to increase the company’s diversity. The Mo Siewcharran fund helps to transform lives and...

GLOBAL TRADE MONTH: USA
Calling all Members, the British Chamber of Commerce is inviting you to join this fascinating webinar which will bring together industry figures, government representatives and BCC partners exploring the key opportunities, common issues and best advice for UK food and...
BCC News
GLOBAL TRADE MONTH: USA
Calling all Members, the British Chamber of Commerce is inviting you to join this fascinating webinar which will bring together industry figures, government representatives and BCC partners exploring the key opportunities, common issues and best advice for UK food and...
Worcestershire News
Unveiling the Ultimate Business Festival, BizFest: Join Real World Consultancy at the Royal Porcelain Works
Real World Consultancy (RWC) the Worcestershire-based award-winning business coaching company renowned for its commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and fostering business growth, is thrilled to announce a spectacular event that promises to transform the way you...
Strategies to help you overcome the impact of shorter nights
As the seasons shift and the sun starts to set earlier, many of us find ourselves grappling with the challenges of shorter nights. The decreased amount of darkness can have various effects on our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing, however by adopting certain...
Herefordshire News
New operator appointed for Shell Store Business Centre
Hereford’s first dedicated business incubation centre is entering an exciting new phase in 2023 after a new operator was appointed to manage The Shell Store. The building, on Skylon Park, Hereford Enterprise Zone, has been a huge success since its formal opening in...
The Courtyard welcome a new Chair of the Board
The Courtyard is pleased to announce that Bruce Freeman has taken over as Chair of the Board. Bruce has been a member of The Courtyard Board for four years, and replaces previous Chair Joanna Cobb, who held the position for three years before retiring in November...
All Latest News
Boxes of HOPE for Christmas
Boxes of Hope: Help Feed Zimbabwean Children This Christmas – https://fth.org.uk/boxes-of-hope/welcome.php As Zimbabwe grapples with a severe food crisis, exacerbated by extended droughts and soaring temperatures, the nation’s most vulnerable people are facing...
University Expert to Give Insight into Emotional World of a Baby
A baby’s mental health and emotional wellbeing in the first three years is key to positive outcomes in later childhood and can even influence the adult they become, says a University of Worcester expert. Denisse Levermore, Course Leader for the Child & Adolescent...
Autumn Budget 2024 – Strategic Insights for Farmers Facing New Inheritance Tax Caps
The 2024 Autumn Budget raised employers’ national insurance, capital gains tax and stamp duty on second homes, but a key concern for farmers is the new cap on agricultural relief from inheritance tax (IHT). In what is a major blow for the farming community, Chancellor...
Race Against Dementia
A Midland entrepreneur is in pole position after teaming up with the dementia charity founded by his motor racing idol. David Ogden, CEO and Founder of The Key Safe Company, has joined forces with Race Against Dementia, the charity Sir Jackie Stewert set up after his...
Greener Options Joins the Chamber – Let’s Connect!
Joining the Chamber of Commerce last month has been a fantastic experience for our team at Greener Options. We’ve been to several events now, and the welcome has been nothing short of wonderful. We’ve met so many warm, helpful people, and it’s been inspiring to...
Farming families urged to seek expert advice following “disastrous” Budget for the industry
Worcestershire farmers are being urged to seek expert advice following “disastrous” Government changes to Inheritance Tax announced in the Budget, which are feared will cripple family farms and stop them being handed down to the next generation. Chancellor Rachel...
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