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.
Welcome New Members August
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout July. ActionCOACH Worcester – The help you need to grow your business. Agility Fleet – Agility Fleet is a national provider of vehicle funding and fleet management, specialising in the SME market....
Latest Article
Welcome New Members August
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout July. ActionCOACH Worcester – The help you need to grow your business. Agility Fleet – Agility Fleet is a national provider of vehicle funding and fleet management, specialising in the SME market....
Member News
Could your brand be globally-recognised for over a century?
Be like Coca Cola ® – Use a Multi-faceted IP Strategy Coca Cola was originally invented nearly 140 years ago!! Its inventor started his business by carrying a jug of the new drink to be sampled by a local pharmacy, and the rest is history… The Coca Cola recipe...
Brockencote Hall Hotel appoints familiar face as new general manager
A new General Manager has checked in at a four-star Victorian country manor hotel in Kidderminster – five-and-a-half years after joining as a receptionist. Dan Brennan has been promoted to the lead role at the 24-bedroom Brockencote Hall Hotel in Chaddesley Corbett,...
Patron & Strategic News
Midwifery Student Takes on London Marathon for Baby Charity
A student midwife from Malvern is preparing for the world-famous London Marathon next year. Izzy Fisher, a student at the University of Worcester, will take on the 26.2-mile run around the capital in April 2026 as she raises funds for Tommy’s, the pregnancy and baby...
Level 4 HNC and/or Level 5 HND in Leadership & Management
Designed to develop your knowledge of team leadership and management from a management perspective, this HTQ aims to enhance your skills to progress into employment across a wide range of industries. The purpose of the qualification is to develop students as...
Chamber News
Increased Export Volatility Ahead Of Tariffs
Only a fifth (21%) of SME exporters saw increased overseas sales in Q1 of 2025 More than a quarter (27%) said their exports had declined with over half (53%) seeing no change Advanced orders fared no better, as 20% saw these rise while 28% reported a decline The Trade...
Local Chamber of Commerce Offers Support to Businesses Navigating U.S. Tariff Changes
As U.S. trade policies and tariffs continue to shift, many businesses are facing new challenges and uncertainty. In response, the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is continuing to provide crucial guidance, up-to-date insights, and expert support...
Our Latest Member
Women In Business Network Joins H&W CoC!
What is WIBN? WIBN membership is for business women who own SME businesses, are self-employed or work as professional service providers for small businesses. WIBN’s purpose is to create communities of business women who build strong business relationships. Members...
Women In Business Network Joins H&W CoC!
What is WIBN? WIBN membership is for business women who own SME businesses, are self-employed or work as professional service providers for small businesses. WIBN’s purpose is to create communities of business women who build strong business relationships. Members...
Policy News
Industrial Strategy ‘An Important Milestone’
Responding to the publication of the Industrial Strategy, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s Industrial Strategy is an important milestone towards creating a competitive economy that is fit for the future, with...
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...
Skills News
81-year-old University Student set to Graduate Next Week
An 81-year-old student is set to graduate from the University of Worcester next week. Wendy Hill, from Ledbury, is among those graduating on Tuesday (March 4) after completing a Master of Research degree. “My message to other mature people who feel the need to achieve...
National Apprenticeship Week success culminates with launch of 2025 Apprenticeships Awards
Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Worcestershire County Council are pleased to announce the 2025 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards. The announcement comes at the conclusion of National Apprenticeship Week, a successful week of promoting the...
Charity News
Local Businesses Raise Over £5,000 for Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust
Worcestershire-based firms Ballards LLP and Four Squared Recruitment have raised over £5,000 for the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust through a series of creative and challenging fundraising activities. The campaign ended with a festive “Jingle and...
Charitable Initiatives in ONE Creative environments’ 50th Year
As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, multi-disciplinary design company, ONE Creative environments (ONE), is undertaking a variety of charitable initiatives. In April, these efforts included donating 50 Easter eggs to the local Food Bank and funding and...
UK Trade Stabilises After Tariff Hit
Responding to the latest ONS data on trade, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “UK trade showed signs of stabilising in May as the initial impact of higher US tariffs began to subside. “Services exports and imports showed steady month on month...
BCC News
UK Trade Stabilises After Tariff Hit
Responding to the latest ONS data on trade, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “UK trade showed signs of stabilising in May as the initial impact of higher US tariffs began to subside. “Services exports and imports showed steady month on month...
Worcestershire News
Will writing drive to raise funds for Worcestershire Community Foundation
Specialist legal teams at two Worcester law firms are throwing their support behind the Worcestershire Community Foundation through a month-long Will writing initiative. Throughout June, solicitors at City firms Bradley Haynes and HCR Law will be offering to write...
Severn Valley Railway launches short film to celebrate its 60th anniversary
The Severn Valley Railway has released a short promotional film, celebrating its 60th anniversary and marking its involvement with the Railway 200 celebrations that are also taking place in 2025-26. The film features a range of volunteers from across the railway,...
Herefordshire News
Rotherwood Healthcare Launches Pioneering Wellness Programme to Enhance Resident Well-Being
Rotherwood Healthcare, an award-winning healthcare provider, is excited to announce the official launch of its Rotherwood Wellness Programme, a pioneering initiative designed to enhance the health and well-being of residents across its care homes. This...
Rotherwood Care Homes Celebrate Harvest Festival with Charity and Donations
Herefordshire-based nursing homes, Kington Court, Lynhales Hall and Hampton Grange & Gwen Walford recently celebrated their Harvest Festival event, showcasing the spirit community, charity, and gratitude. Each home hosted a MacMillan Coffee Morning, raising vital...
All Latest News
FZUK Welcomes Future Talent Through their Doors
Local Redditch Business opens its doors. FAUN Zoeller (FZUK) was delighted to welcome three enthusiastic students, Ashlea, Daniel and Leo, for a week of work experience across different departments of our business. This initiative reflects FZUK’s ongoing commitment to...
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Announce Relaunch of Business Direction Magazine
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce are delighted to announce their new partnership with Crosby Media Associates. The Chamber and Crosby Media will collaborate closely to ensure a seamless transition toward the end of 2025, with October/November and...
Ballards LLP Celebrating Double Award Shortlisting
L-R: James Syree CEO Ballards LLP and Adrian Sidaway Audit Director, Ballards LLP Midlands-based firm recognised for outstanding performance by the Accounting Excellence Awards. Leading Worcestershire Accountancy firm, Ballards LLP, has been shortlisted for...
Business Welcomes Movement On EU Reset Negotiations
Responding to the release of the EU’s draft mandate for UK negotiations on removing checks on food and drink and eliminating carbon charges, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “Firms have been patiently waiting for signs of progress on the EU reset and...
Rising Real Wages Pile On More Pressure
Responding to the latest labour market data, published by the ONS this morning, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The ONS data suggests that the jobs market is continuing to loosen as unemployment rises, vacancies...
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Announces NEW Strategic Digital Training Partnership with Make Strides
Empowering Local Businesses with ‘Leadership Thinking’. Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Make Strides, a digital-first learning and development company specialising in both early-career and...
Become a Chamber Member!
Contact our Chamber Membership team to find out how we can help your business.