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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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Police Risk ‘worse service’ Without AI Adoption, says Police AI Director Ahead of Worcester Conference
Policing will become more expensive and deliver a worse service if it does not embrace responsible AI, says Police AI Director Alex Murray OBE ahead of a conference in Worcester. Alex, currently seconded to the College of Policing as Director of AI, will deliver a...
Latest Article
Police Risk ‘worse service’ Without AI Adoption, says Police AI Director Ahead of Worcester Conference
Policing will become more expensive and deliver a worse service if it does not embrace responsible AI, says Police AI Director Alex Murray OBE ahead of a conference in Worcester. Alex, currently seconded to the College of Policing as Director of AI, will deliver a...
Member News
Lygon Arms named Hotel of the Year at the Visit Worcestershire Tourism Awards
Lygon Arms has been announced as the winner of Hotel of the Year at the Visit Worcestershire Tourism Awards, in recognition of its exceptional hospitality, historic setting and outstanding guest experience. Located in the heart of the Cotswolds, the award celebrates...
Herefordshire team prepares others to save lives in African wilderness
In a world where headlines are often dominated by crisis, the work that helps prevent those outcomes and keeps people safe rarely makes the news. But behind the scenes—and often far from home—teams are equipping others with the skills to step forward when it matters...
Patron & Strategic News
Artist Unveils Cromwell-Inspired Textiles in Major Exhibition at The Hive
A decade-long journey of creativity, literature, and archival discovery will be unveiled at The Hive in Worcester, as textile artist Dr Lucie Bea Dutton presents a lecture and exhibition, inspired by Hilary Mantel’s Cromwell Trilogy. Dr Dutton has spent more than a...
Community Care Provider Partners with College to Support Company Growth
Halesowen College is delighted to announce that Diamond Home Care, a specialist community care provider that operates across Dudley and Sandwell, has joined the college’s PowerPartner Programme with platinum partner status. This partnership will see Diamond Home Care...
Chamber News
Herefordshire and Worcestershire to ‘Level Up’ with Government Funding Announced
Almost £40 million of funding from the government’s £2.1bn Levelling Up fund will be granted to projects in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, it was announced today (19 January 2023). Over 100 projects from across the UK have been awarded funding from Round 2 of the...
What is an LSIP?
What is an LSIP? Further to the Government’s Skills for Jobs White Paper (January 2021), Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIPs) were created to put employers more firmly at the heart of the skills system to help ensure businesses and people have the skills they need to...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members!
The Chamber would like to wish a very warm welcome to our newest Members in the month of August: Worcestershire: Art is Ar’t the gallery – Retail fine art gallery offer a wide and vibrant range of contemporary art – Originals, Limited Editions and...
Welcome New Members!
The Chamber would like to wish a very warm welcome to our newest Members in the month of August: Worcestershire: Art is Ar’t the gallery – Retail fine art gallery offer a wide and vibrant range of contemporary art – Originals, Limited Editions and...
Policy News
83% of local businesses find EU exports more difficult since 1 January
The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has released the results of the latest Quarterly Economic Survey, in partnership with Bishop Fleming, outlining business performance in Q2 2021. To read the full report, click here. The focus of this quarter’s...
Government release new Hospitality Strategy to help build back better from the pandemic
Business Minister Paul Scully has launched a new Hospitality Strategy today (Friday 16 July). The strategy aims to ensure England’s pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues can thrive long-term and adapt to consumer demands. The Hospitality Strategy focuses on...
Skills News
BCC welcomes two-year post-study work visa
Commenting on announcement on the two-year post-study work visa, Mike Spicer, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The British Chambers has long called for the two-year post-study work visa to be restored so this decision is welcome, if...
NMiTE’s pioneering Design Cohort helps ready the institution for 2020 students
Over the last 12 months NMiTE’s (New Model in Technology and Engineering) Design Cohort has been co-designing and co-creating NMiTE’s learner experience in support of its aim to become a university for and of the future. This group of 25 school-leavers and graduates...
Charity News
St Richard’s Hospice Asks County to Help Shape Charity Shops’ Future
St Richard’s Hospice is launching an audience research study to gather valuable insights into its charity shops and ensure its continued success. The study, conducted in collaboration with HemingwayDesign, aims to future-proof this vital source of income for the...
St Michael’s Hospice to open shop in Monmouth
St Michael’s Hospice will open its first-ever shop in Monmouth in the coming days. The Bartestree-based charity, which recently opened a new store in Ross-on-Wye, will move into a unit on Agincourt Square. The charity is inviting supporters to attend the official...
Devolution Plans must Deliver on Local Economic Growth
After the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill was introduced to Parliament today, Jonny Haseldine, Head of Corporate Governance and Business Environment Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Businesses will welcome further devolution to...
BCC News
Devolution Plans must Deliver on Local Economic Growth
After the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill was introduced to Parliament today, Jonny Haseldine, Head of Corporate Governance and Business Environment Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Businesses will welcome further devolution to...
Worcestershire News
Exhibition Explores Depiction of Dementia in Children’s Literature
A new University of Worcester exhibition aims to shed light on how children’s literature approaches and represents dementia. Jean Webb, Professor of International Children’s Literature in the University’s School of Humanities, has drawn on her research into this...
Family-run Worcester Business Takes Gold at British Property Awards
An independent, family-run property agents has taken the Worcester housing market by storm, winning a prestigious award for its customer service. Hallow-based EmDot Property Agents has just been named the Gold Winner for Worcester at The British Property Awards and is...
Herefordshire News
Leave a Light On for Small Business
When it comes to outsourced marketing support, big doesn’t always mean best – says Ruby Edwards, Owner of You Do Better PR. Uncovering the organisations within the local area can certainly reap rewards. We’re lucky to have so many to choose from:...
HAY FESTIVAL AND LVIV BOOKFORUM UNVEIL PARTNERSHIP TO DEFEND FREE EXPRESSION
Ukrainian literature will be brought to a global audience of millions in a new digital partnership announced today between Ukraine’s largest literature festival, Lviv BookForum, and leading literary charity and global ideas platform Hay Festival. Taking place 6-9...
All Latest News
Inflation Waters Remain Choppy
Responding to the latest inflation data, published by the Office for National Statistics, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s data is a stark reminder that the UK inflation waters remain choppy. “With CPI rising to 3.4%...
Opportunity for Local Businesses to Connect with Major Buyers this February
The popular Meet the Buyer Conference, sponsored by Worcestershire Growth Hub, is set to return on Friday 6 February 2026, offering businesses across Herefordshire and Worcestershire a valuable opportunity to connect directly with major buyers and procurement...
UK’s Largest Healthcare Digital Twin Doubles in Size: VisualEyes and Alder Hey Redefine Patient Experience with Phase Two Launch
LIVERPOOL, UK – Today, VisualEyes, in partnership with Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and Alder Hey Children’s Charity, has launched the Phase Two expansion of the UK’s most advanced hospital virtual tour. This upgrade doubles the digital footprint of the project,...
Introducing Herefordshire Reuse and Recycling Organisation (HRRO)
Herefordshire Reuse and Recycling Organisation (HRRO) is a local charity working to reduce waste, support households in need, and keep reusable goods and materials in circulation across the county. We joined the Herefordshire Chamber of Commerce with a clear purpose:...
150 years of Heritage and Innovation combined for success
In an era obsessed with rapid financial growth, true sustainability and longevity are ignored at our peril, nowhere more than in the agricultural sector. A true and meaningful connection with farming and the land cannot be fast-tracked, much less found with AI....
Severn Valley Railway announces 71000 ‘Duke of Gloucester’ as Spring Steam Gala guest
The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) has announced BR 71000 Duke of Gloucester as the first visiting locomotive for its Spring Steam Gala, running from 16 to 19 April. This year marks 50 years since the railway had its first ever Spring Gala, in April 1976. The appearance...
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