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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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UK Exporters Floundering As Headwinds Build
The proportion of businesses reporting increased exports orders fell to 16% in Q2 2026, down from 25% in Q1. The balance of firms reporting increased orders stands at -10%, with 26% of businesses reporting a decrease. In the past 20 years, export orders have only...
Latest Article
UK Exporters Floundering As Headwinds Build
The proportion of businesses reporting increased exports orders fell to 16% in Q2 2026, down from 25% in Q1. The balance of firms reporting increased orders stands at -10%, with 26% of businesses reporting a decrease. In the past 20 years, export orders have only...
Member News
OCM revisits the golden era of business laptops
Does the sound of a Windows 95 startup screen or the sight of a chunky IBM ThinkPad bring back memories of early business computing to you? Recently the team at OCM dusted off a collection of vintage business laptops from the 1990s, including iconic IBM ThinkPads,...
John Truslove secures new HQ for Redditch IT firm
Property agency John Truslove has helped IT consultancy FAIT UK mark its 25th anniversary with a move to new headquarters in Redditch. The company works with clients across the Midlands, providing a range of IT and telecoms services. They worked with Ian Parker, joint...
Patron & Strategic News
Morgan Motor Company Helps Students Gear Up for Success
One of the region’s most prestigious motoring companies has supported an initiative to help University of Worcester students dress for success, making a generous donation of smart clothing to the University’s Wardrobe Project. Colleagues at the Morgan Motor Company,...
Hazelton Mountford welcomes Peter Sherwood to the team
Hazelton Mountford is delighted to share that Peter Sherwood has joined the senior leadership team, bringing more than 30 years of commercial insurance experience to the Independent Chartered Insurance Brokerage. Peter steps in as a Branch Director, where his deep...
Chamber News
Chair’s Report – December 2022
On this occasion, I would like to reflect a little about our region and how your Chamber provides a business network-orientated organisation to help your company in many activities and growth strategies. Our two counties continue to be a dynamic and vibrant business...
Charities of the Year for 2023 Selected at the Chamber!
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce are delighted to announce that they have selected two charities to support as their ‘Charities of the Year’ in 2023! We are overwhelmed by the incredible work that is carried out in our local community for so many...
Our Latest Member
Introduction to Sarah Evans – Reel Leadership
Reel Leadership is a specialist leadership development company created by Sarah Evans, who supports leaders to revitalise their engagement and culture so that good people stay, teams are reconnected, and costly mistakes are avoided. Sarah previously held leadership...
Introduction to Sarah Evans – Reel Leadership
Reel Leadership is a specialist leadership development company created by Sarah Evans, who supports leaders to revitalise their engagement and culture so that good people stay, teams are reconnected, and costly mistakes are avoided. Sarah previously held leadership...
Policy News
Government extend support for Northern Ireland agri-food traders
Defra announced yesterday (Monday 12 July) that traders moving agri-food from Great Britain to Northern Ireland will benefit from increased Government support until the end of 2023. The Movement Assistance Scheme helps traders by covering certain certification costs...
UK signs free trade deal with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein
Following agreement in principle last month, the United Kingdom has moved quickly to sign a free trade deal with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, locking in tariff-free trade and securing greater access for UK firms. Ministers from the three countries came to London...
Skills News
Pershore College officially launches agri-tech revolution
Pershore College opened its doors to representatives from over forty organisations and businesses from around the region last Tuesday when it officially opened its Agri-Tech Research Centre. The state-of-the-art centre was funded with the support of £500,000 from...
Kidderminster Nursery cultivates fun
With summer here, children at Little Trinity Nursery in Kidderminster are busy sowing seeds and planting all kinds of vegetables and flowers. Manager, Gaynor Carter, commented: “Sowing seeds and then watching them grow in the nursery garden is a wonderful way to...
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...
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...
BCC News
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...
Worcestershire News
FUNDING FOR MALVERN TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS SECURES DEVELOPMENT TO ‘MASTER THE MIDDLE MARKET’ OF SMART IN-HOME ENTERTAINMENT DEVICES
HD Connectivity Ltd, an award-winning smart home electronics company trading as HDANYWHERE in Malvern is challenging the US market with its universal control platform, uControl™, which provides a more affordable smart home offering compared to the main players in the...
Expanding Stonemasonry Business to Take on New Space in Worcester
Well-known local family run business, Stonemasons of Worcester is relocating part of its operations to a larger industrial unit in Bromyard Road, Worcester with the support of Worcestershire-based commercial property consultancy and Chartered Surveyors GJS Dillon....
Herefordshire News
Member to Member Reviews: A glowing testimonial for Herefordshire and Worcestershire Group Training Association
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Group Training Association have received a heart-warming testimonial from fellow Chamber Member Pauline Tarrant Consulting, who studied with them 20 years ago. Pauline, who has emigrated to Australia and has clients both there and here...
Here to Help – Marches Growth Hub support helps drive engineer’s growth
A Herefordshire business says it has been able to take on new staff and enjoy significant growth thanks to help from the Marches Growth Hub. Engineering company Wye Cylinder Engineering (WCE) has seen its turnover grow by almost £1million in the last 12 months and...
All Latest News
Kidderminster College Receives FE First Award
Kidderminster College is celebrating after winning two prestigious accolades at the College Marketing Network’s FE First Awards 2026, recognising excellence, innovation and impact across further education marketing. Kidderminster College was awarded gold in the...
Welcome to your latest edition of Branch Lines | February
The countdown to reopening is almost at zero! Tomorrow evening (Friday 13 February) sees the first of the Boogie Lights Express trains, and on Saturday, the Railway is open for half-term services. It’s very exciting to be on the cusp of the 2026 season, one which...
Ballards accelerates corporate finance growth with senior Transaction Advisory appointment
Ballards, one of the Midlands most forward-looking business advisory and consultancy groups, has further strengthened its corporate finance service with the appointment of Rob Burns as Transaction Advisory Services Director, further expanding its Birmingham team and...
ZwickRoell Donates €1,000 to Community First Responders Charity Following Global Fitness Challenge
ZwickRoell has donated €1,000 to the Community First Responders (CFR) Charity following the successful completion of its global “ZwickRoell Runs The World” Challenge, which encouraged employees, customers, and suppliers to stay active while supporting meaningful...
University Expert’s Tips on How to Finish a Novel, Not Just Start One!
A University of Worcester expert will share her insider tips on not just starting a novel, but actually finishing one, in a special workshop at The Hive. Lecturer in Creative Writing, Dr Ruth Stacey, will be leading a free session on this topic on February 18 (5pm)....
‘Inspiring’ Worcester Graduate’s Free Physiotherapy Clinic Passes 120 Appointments as Funding Extended into 2027
A University of Worcester graduate who set up a free physiotherapy clinic for local residents says he’s delighted after receiving an extension of community funding that will allow the service to continue into next year. Physiotherapy graduate Oliver Nightingale, who...
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