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.
Business School’s Recognition for its Support of Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship
The University of Worcester’s Business School’s work to support local businesses has helped it to secure re-accreditation of its Small Business Charter. The national accreditation is awarded to business schools which demonstrate excellence and impact in supporting...
Latest Article
Business School’s Recognition for its Support of Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship
The University of Worcester’s Business School’s work to support local businesses has helped it to secure re-accreditation of its Small Business Charter. The national accreditation is awarded to business schools which demonstrate excellence and impact in supporting...
Member News
Ballards strengthens private client capability with senior tax partner hire
(from left to right): Tim Lynch, Private Client Tax Partner, Martin Adams, Head of tax. Ballards LLP has appointed Tim Lynch as Private Client Tax Partner, strengthening its senior advisory capability as part of the firm’s long term growth strategy across...
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,...
Patron & Strategic News
Explore Robots, Rockets and More at The Hive’s STEAMfest
Excitement is building ahead of the return of one of Worcester’s most vibrant celebrations of arts and science. STEAMfest (which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) brings cutting-edge science together with nature, the arts, computing,...
Law firm adds further Corporate expertise to Worcester team
Law firm mfg Solicitors has bolstered its Corporate legal team in Worcester with the appointment of a new solicitor. The Tything-based firm has appointed Andrew Johnson to the team, who will advise clients on a range of corporate-related matters including mergers and...
Chamber News
Welcome New Members September
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout September. St Richard’s Hospice Foundation – Worcestershire charity providing palliative care. Spartan Fire Protection – Fire safety systems and compliance specialists. First Enterprise – Inclusive finance and...
Worcestershire Area Council Updates for September
FINANCE SECTOR The revised FRS 102, effective January 2026, introduces significant changes including full balance sheet recognition of leases in line with IFRS 16, a new five-step revenue model aligned with IFRS 15, and fair value guidance via Section 2A based on IFRS...
Our Latest Member
Empowering SMEs Through Digital Learning
At Make Strides, we’re passionate about equipping businesses with the skills they need to thrive. That’s why we’ve become a strategic partner of the Hereford & Worcestershire Chamber if Commerce, aligning our expertise in digital learning with their mission to...
Empowering SMEs Through Digital Learning
At Make Strides, we’re passionate about equipping businesses with the skills they need to thrive. That’s why we’ve become a strategic partner of the Hereford & Worcestershire Chamber if Commerce, aligning our expertise in digital learning with their mission to...
Policy News
SMEs Key To Defence Industrial Strategy
Responding to the announcement of the Defence Industrial Strategy, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “Raising defence investment is not only vital for the UK’s national security in an age of higher geopolitical risk but also to boost growth, jobs, exports and...
Cost Pressures Continue to Hit Labour Market
Responding to the latest labour market data published by the ONS this morning, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The ongoing impact of business cost pressures, most notably from the national insurance hike,...
Skills News
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...
Worcester Based Recruitment Firm Sees 60% Growth in Roles
Worcester-based Four Squared Recruitment has achieved a 60% growth in retained recruitment work throughout 2024, providing a much-needed boost to the slowing recruitment market. By prioritising a retained search model and committing to partnerships that go beyond...
Charity News
Friends of Isaac’s Foodbank – Christmas Appeal
Reaching out to the powers of the Chamber of Commerce and my awesome network here! If you know Santa, or have any connections that know Santa, can you please share this in the hope the man in the red suit can come to my aid again this Christmas! I want to be sure that...
Act Now: Transform Rural Families and Strengthen Your Workforce
Herefordshire charity Vennture is urging local businesses to invest in families and schools to build a stronger, more resilient workforce. Across rural communities, unresolved parental conflict, isolation, and limited access to services quietly undermine children’s...
More Clouds Gathering Over Business Confidence
Confidence among firms has continued to weaken, with tax remaining the biggest concern, according to the UK’s largest business sentiment survey. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Survey also found more businesses now expect to raise prices in...
BCC News
More Clouds Gathering Over Business Confidence
Confidence among firms has continued to weaken, with tax remaining the biggest concern, according to the UK’s largest business sentiment survey. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Survey also found more businesses now expect to raise prices in...
Worcestershire News
Severn Valley Railway helps local aid charity
The Severn Valley Railway’s paint shop at Bridgnorth had an unusual visitor recently, in the form of a Mitsubishi 4×4 pickup. The SVR was assisting a local charity, Wyre Forest 2 Ukraine, with their efforts in sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The charity...
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...
Herefordshire News
Kington Court Care Home Celebrates Clinical Lead’s 20 Years of Service
Rotherwood Healthcare is proud to announce that Rhodora Cunanan, Clinical Lead at award-winning Kington Court Nursing Home in Herefordshire, has recently celebrated 20 years of dedicated service. This remarkable milestone marks Rhodora’s enduring commitment to...
Lynhales Hall Nursing Home Shines at Herefordshire Growing Point Autumn Show
Lynhales Hall Nursing Home, a leading provider of specialist dementia care for the elderly generation, is thrilled to announce its success at the prestigious Herefordshire Growing Point Autumn Show. The care home was awarded second place for its innovative wind chime,...
All Latest News
Welcome to your latest edition of Branch Lines!
Were you lucky enough to visit the Valley over the festive period? Things were humming from Boxing Day through till 4 January. And what a high we ended the season on! Two days of sunny but cold weather and a Winter Steam Gala as well. What more could we ask for? No...
New Collaboration to Make Cricket More Accessible in Herefordshire
A new collaboration between Herefordshire Cricket, Hereford Sixth Form College and the University of Worcester will transform access to cricket for young people in the region. The initiative, which is already underway, sees weekly coaching sessions delivered at the...
Community generosity at Christmas helps Herefordshire families
As families across Herefordshire face increasing pressure, a series of quiet but meaningful acts of generosity by business and individuals are helping to support those most in need through local charity Vennture. With demand for emergency accommodation and family...
NMITE Appoints its First Head of Learning and Teaching To Support the Institution’s Ambitious Development Plans
NMITE has appointed Dr Richard Lillington, as Professor in Engineering and its first Head of Learning and Teaching, marking a key milestone in shaping the institution’s academic growth and strategic direction. He joins NMITE this month (January 2026) from Aston...
Employment Rights Bill: What Every Business Needs to Know
The UK is on the verge of a major employment law overhaul. The Employment Rights Bill—hailed as the most significant upgrade in a generation—is expected to become law imminently. Its impact will be universal: every business, regardless of size or sector, will need to...
Huge Potential In Future Of CPTPP
In his latest trade blog, William Bain, examines if the UK’s membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement For Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has made a difference for businesses and what happens next: It is now a year since the UK became a member of...
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