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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.
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 Groups Unite In Stand Against Antisemitism
The UK’s leading business organisations have signed a joint letter pledging to take a stand against antisemitism, committing to concrete action to support Jewish employees and foster inclusive workplaces. The initiative, co-ordinated by the British Chambers of...
Latest Article
Business Groups Unite In Stand Against Antisemitism
The UK’s leading business organisations have signed a joint letter pledging to take a stand against antisemitism, committing to concrete action to support Jewish employees and foster inclusive workplaces. The initiative, co-ordinated by the British Chambers of...
Member News
Hive Invites Community to Create Forget-Me-Not Artwork for Dementia Action Week
The Hive in Worcester is marking Dementia Action Week with a community forget-me-not art project and a talk offering support to people affected by dementia. Creative makers of all ages and abilities are being called on to help create a giant forget-me-not quilt, made...
Wyevale Nurseries appoints new Finance Director
WYEVALE Nurseries in Hereford has announced the appointment of Lisa Edwards as its new Finance Director – strengthening the company’s board as it continues to invest in its long term growth and development (May 2026). Lisa, who is an Associate Chartered Management...
Patron & Strategic News
Worcester Conference to Examine Rise of AI in Crime and Policing
Worcester’s annual Evidence-Based Policing Conference will examine both the challenges posed by criminals using emerging technologies such as AI, and the opportunities these tools offer to law enforcement. Into the Digital Age: The Increasing Use of Technology in...
The Bearded Plantaholic to Appear at The Hive
A world-renowned author and plant expert is appearing at The Hive this month, where he’ll discuss his book ‘You’re Overwatering It’. Jonny Balchandani, better known to his more than a million followers on social media as the Bearded Plantaholic, will join former BBC...
Chamber News
Worcestershire celebrates outstanding success at Annual Apprenticeship Awards
Worcestershire celebrated its commitment to developing local talent and skills at the 2025 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards on Thursday 13 November. Now in their eleventh year of the Apprenticeships Awards, the 2025 celebrations continued to recognise the amazing...
Celebrating Excellence at the 2025 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards
The 2025 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards marked a significant milestone in the county’s ongoing commitment to developing talent, celebrating success, and championing the value of apprenticeships. Now in its eleventh year, the programme continues to grow in...
Our Latest Member
Meet JP Bookkeeping — Your New Virtual Finance Office
As a new member of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce (HWCC), JP Bookkeeping is excited to introduce its Virtual Finance Office service which manages the full finance function for businesses from start to end. Our strategic, outsourced Finance...
Meet JP Bookkeeping — Your New Virtual Finance Office
As a new member of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce (HWCC), JP Bookkeeping is excited to introduce its Virtual Finance Office service which manages the full finance function for businesses from start to end. Our strategic, outsourced Finance...
Policy News
Apprenticeship System Reform Must Go Further
A new report from the British Chambers of Commerce is calling for the government to reform the apprenticeship system to make it fit for the 21st Century. As the UK celebrates National Apprenticeships Week, it finds that the current framework is too rigid, lacks...
Eight days left to file your Self Assessment
Eight days until 31 January Self Assessment deadline Miss the deadline and you may face an automatic £100 penalty File your return now at GOV.UK and pay any tax due by 31 January – help and support available online With just over a week until the Self Assessment...
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
Students Raise Over £1,800 for Worcestershire Charities in 24-Hour CPR Marathon
Student Paramedics at the University of Worcester have successfully completed their 24-hour CPR Marathon, raising more than £1,800 for two local lifesaving charities. Running from 9am on March 16 until 9am the following morning, the endurance event saw staff, students...
OrchardFest 2026 Returns with an Inclusive Summer Celebration
We’re excited to share some sunny news: OrchardFest 2026 is returning on Saturday 15th August 2026, and it promises to be bigger, brighter, and more inclusive than ever. Set at the beautiful Orchard Trust Smallholding in Upper Stowfield, Gloucestershire, this...
Smaller Exporters Struggling To Make Headway
The proportion of businesses reporting increased export orders sits at 25% in Q1 2026, compared with 31% in Q2 2018 There is a big split relating to the size of the business, with 23% of SMEs reporting increased orders, compared to 38% of larger firms....
BCC News
Smaller Exporters Struggling To Make Headway
The proportion of businesses reporting increased export orders sits at 25% in Q1 2026, compared with 31% in Q2 2018 There is a big split relating to the size of the business, with 23% of SMEs reporting increased orders, compared to 38% of larger firms....
Worcestershire News
‘Flying Scotsman’ to reunite the Severn Valley Railway line
The world’s most famous steam locomotive 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’ will haul the first passenger train along the full length of the 16-mile Severn Valley Railway line, when the northernmost section is reunited with the rest of the line on Friday 25 July. Work is now...
The Worcestershire Community Foundation is looking for two new trustees
The Worcestershire Community Foundation is looking for two new trustees to join the Board. We are one of the leading grant makers in Worcestershire; we act as a conduit to local philanthropy, linking private and public funders with community projects across the...
Herefordshire News
Worcester – Hereford Engineering Work: Sunday 26 – Friday 31 January
From Sunday 26 January – Friday 31 January, services between Worcester and Hereford will be operated by rail replacement buses, due to essential track renewal work being completed. Sunday 26 January Trains between Worcester Shrub Hill and Hereford will not run....
Herefordshire Law Firm Announces New Partners
A Herefordshire law firm is celebrating the appointments of four new partners – including one who started out as an office secretary nearly 30 years ago. Lanyon Bowdler has announced that four senior members of staff have been promoted to partners –...
All Latest News
KEMP Hospice runners raise over £22,000 at London Marathon 2026
Dedicated fundraisers successfully completed the iconic TCS London Marathon on Sunday, raising an incredible £22,276 including Gift Aid, in support of KEMP Hospice. Six runners took part raising funds for KEMP Hospice. In a particularly special year, for the first...
Cybersecurity Consultant Reveals Why Every Business Is a Target in New Podcast Episode
Cybersecurity consultant Martin Cadwallader of LawFinity features in the latest episode of Dandelion Video Production’s What Do You Do? podcast, sharing what businesses of all sizes need to know about protecting themselves online. Cadwallader challenges the...
Worcester Academic Contributes to New Study Tackling Cultural Loss for Children in Care
An expert from the University of Worcester is partnering on a new nationwide study which will give a voice to children and young people from marginalised communities to address the growing issue of children in care being raised outside their culture. Led by the...
The Ladybird’s Path: Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust Unveils Magical School Garden created by the children it supports at RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2026
A wonderful, fun-filled day out for families and gardening enthusiasts alike, The RHS Malvern Spring Show Festival 2026 brings with it a plethora of garden ideas with plenty to see and do for all ages. The RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2026 (7–10 May) will showcase...
Leading Through Uncertainty
We’re wired to seek certainty. To look for answers, plans, and predictability. But right now? Many leaders are navigating in the dark. Budgets are tightening. Expectations are rising. Job security feels fragile. And your team is looking to you, not for perfect...
Conflict Cuts Middle East Trade By One Fifth
New data from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has revealed a 20% drop in export activity to the Middle East as conflict escalated in March. The findings are based on the number of certificates of origin issued by Chambers of Commerce. These are a...
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