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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.
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Worcester Awarded Maximum £2.5m Teaching Capital Grant to Expand and Enhance Healthcare Education
The University of Worcester has been awarded £2,493,703 from the Office for Students (OfS) to further enhance its very high-quality education of tomorrow’s nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, paramedics, occupational therapists, physician assistants, midwives and other...
Latest Article
Worcester Awarded Maximum £2.5m Teaching Capital Grant to Expand and Enhance Healthcare Education
The University of Worcester has been awarded £2,493,703 from the Office for Students (OfS) to further enhance its very high-quality education of tomorrow’s nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, paramedics, occupational therapists, physician assistants, midwives and other...
Member News
Sharon Baker of Kinder Accountants Wins Business Leader of the Year at the Herefordshire Means Business Awards 2025
Local business leader Sharon Baker, founder and director of Kinder Accountants, has been named Business Leader of the Year at the Herefordshire Means Business Awards 2025. The award recognises Sharon’s outstanding leadership, innovation, and commitment to putting...
University of Worcester Open Day to Welcome Career Changers
People are invited to explore how higher education could reshape their future at the University of Worcester’s Open Day. The event, on Saturday November 29 welcomes anyone curious about university life. From young people preparing to leave school to adults considering...
Patron & Strategic News
Graduates’ Film Impresses on Global Stage with Festival Award
Two University of Worcester graduates are celebrating an unexpected triumph after winning an award at a global film festival, despite not actually entering the competition. Ben Monk and Joshua Prior, both Film Production graduates, won Best UK Short Film / Featurette...
Joel Richards Scholarship Event Raises Thousands at University of Worcester
A special event at the University of Worcester has raised thousands for a new scholarship fund dedicated to the memory of former student Joel Richards. Held in the University’s conference suite, named in Joel’s honour, the evening included a special address by his...
Chamber News
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...
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...
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
Business Still Sceptical On Employment Rights Bill
One third (33%) of businesses, in a BCC survey, think the current trade union proposals in the Employment Rights Bill would have a negative impact Only 2% of these firms think these proposals would be positive 79% of firms don’t feel the impact of new government...
Recruitment Static as Firms Assess NI Impact
Recruitment remains static with 55% of firms attempting to hire staff in the last three months (compared with 54% in Q1) Hiring remains challenging despite some respite, with 73% of firms reporting difficulties in Q2 (76% in Q1) Transport and logistics (80%) and...
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
National Supported Lodgings Week: Could You Open Your Door to Change a Young Life?
This November (9th–16th) marks National Supported Lodgings Week, celebrating the incredible role ordinary people play in providing safe and supportive homes for young people who might otherwise face homelessness. Through St Basils Supported Lodgings scheme,...
New garden set to open at Primrose Hospice
Primrose Hospice and F.B. & Sons Lawns & Landscapes invite you to the official opening of St Godwald’s Retreat, a new reflective garden created by F.B. & Sons Lawns & Landscapes for Primrose Hospice. Join Primrose on Sunday, 12th October, from 2–4pm at...
Lords’ Amendments Give Firms Hope
Reacting to the news that the House of Lords has re-inserted key amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, Patrick Milnes, Head of People and Work Policy, said: “We are fast reaching the end of the road for crucial changes, that businesses desperately want to see, to...
BCC News
Lords’ Amendments Give Firms Hope
Reacting to the news that the House of Lords has re-inserted key amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, Patrick Milnes, Head of People and Work Policy, said: “We are fast reaching the end of the road for crucial changes, that businesses desperately want to see, to...
Worcestershire News
Severn Valley Railway makes steady progress towards landslip repairs
Although a firm start date for repairs to the landslip at the Severn Valley Railway’s Mor Brook bridge remains unknown, huge progress has been made in recent weeks. The railway has also shared details of how the work will be undertaken. Last week [1 May], the SVR...
Severn Valley Railway launches ‘Kids for a Quid’ offer this half term
The Severn Valley Railway is making family adventures more affordable than ever with the launch of its ‘Kids for a Quid’ offer for the May half-term holiday from 24 May to 1 June. For just £1 per child, families can enjoy an unforgettable heritage rail journey through...
Herefordshire News
Gwen Walford Care Home Celebrates Win at the Hereford Times Health & Social Care Awards 2024
Gwen Walford Nursing Home is thrilled to announce its success at the prestigious Hereford Times Health & Social Care Awards, where the home’s dedicated staff member, Gideon Kusi, won The Good Nurse Award. These awards celebrate the hard work, dedication,...
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...
All Latest News
Firms Seek Certainty As US-China Trade Talks Loom
Assessing the mood of business ahead of President Trump’s discussions with China’s President XI this week, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “Businesses will be watching these talks very closely in the hope of divining some certainty on the direction of travel...
Partnerships with Worcestershire County Cricket Club
Partnering with Worcestershire County Cricket Club is not just a marketing investment, it’s a chance to be part of the cricketing community at the heart of Worcestershire. WCCC provides a unique opportunity for businesses to enhance their brand visibility and...
Chef shortage putting huge pressure on hospitality industry
A Worcestershire hospitality jobs specialist is warning of a national chef shortage and has urged culinary talent to use their expertise, come forward and help rebuild the industry’s struggling talent pool. The alert has come from industry expert Kasia Krieger, who...
Ballards LLP welcomes record 2025 graduate intake
Pictured L-R, Jess Brown, Amber Winspur, Jack Dudley, Katherine Nicholls, Moheeb Hsum, Lauren Townsend (seated, Talent Acquisition Executive) Faye Taylor, Adam Gent, Nabeel Iqbal, Aaisha Mughal and Elliott Jones. Ballards LLP, the Worcestershire based...
Major investment marks new chapter for HCR Law’s Hereford office
A significant milestone has been reached in the heart of Hereford as HCR Law unveils its newly refurbished office, marking a major investment in the city centre and reaffirming its long-standing commitment to the region. After 13 successful years in its current...
HCR Law’s Midlands Corporate team leads M&A deal volume
Experian’s latest data shows a drop in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the UK during the first half of 2025, reflecting economic uncertainty and a cautious business environment. Deal volumes fell by 16% in H1 2025 compared to H1 2024, according to...
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