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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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Herefordshire business CXCS celebrates Agricultural Business of the Year award
Herefordshire-based CXCS Group is celebrating after being recognised as British Agricultural Business of the Year at the Farmer Rural Awards 2026, held in Shrewsbury on Thursday 22 October. The awards brought together businesses and individuals from across the...
Latest Article
Herefordshire business CXCS celebrates Agricultural Business of the Year award
Herefordshire-based CXCS Group is celebrating after being recognised as British Agricultural Business of the Year at the Farmer Rural Awards 2026, held in Shrewsbury on Thursday 22 October. The awards brought together businesses and individuals from across the...
Member News
Choking First Aid: Why Acting Too Soon Can Make It Worse
Someone starts choking at lunch. They’re coughing, spluttering, red in the face. A colleague rushes over and starts thumping them on the back. Sounds helpful, doesn’t it? Not always. While someone is coughing effectively, the cough is doing the work....
Who’s the “Geoff” in Your Office?
Does your team have a go-to person who solves everyone’s tech problems? Tim Price of Train IT Midlands says that’s often the clearest sign a business needs proper training. Tim told host Adam Hanslow-Smith that the right time to invest is “when you can see people are...
Patron & Strategic News
Autumn Budget 2026 explained: Your detailed summary
Chancellor John Healey delivered a cautious, stability-focused Autumn Budget, with limited giveaways and few major tax increases against a backdrop of rising inflation, energy costs and pressure on the public finances. Measures include changes to business investment...
Ancient Harp Recital Celebrates Worcestershire’s Musical Heritage at The Hive
A unique harp recital inspired by Worcestershire’s rich musical heritage will bring the sounds of centuries past to The Hive this month. Fiona Hosford, who recently relocated to the region and has already held a recital at Worcester Cathedral, will bring her...
Chamber News
DIGITAL CARNETS
From 1 June 2026, ATA Carnets will begin transitioning from paper to a digital format across the UK, EU, Norway and Switzerland. This marks the start of a global shift, with both paper and digital Carnets running side by side until 31 December 2027, allowing customs...
Keeping Herefordshire & Worcestershire Working: Why Workforce Health Matters
Businesses across Herefordshire & Worcestershire are being invited to the ‘Keep Herefordshire & Worcestershire Working’ conference to learn more about the workplace wellbeing support available. The UK labour market is rapidly changing with more than a fifth of...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members | April 2026
A warm welcome to our newest members who joined us throughout April: Bexley Beaumont – A specialist provider of outsourced HR solutions and employee relations support for organisations across the UK. Cristie & Co – Offers tailored website management,...
Welcome New Members | April 2026
A warm welcome to our newest members who joined us throughout April: Bexley Beaumont – A specialist provider of outsourced HR solutions and employee relations support for organisations across the UK. Cristie & Co – Offers tailored website management,...
Policy News
More Help Needed on Business Costs
Responding to measures announced by the Chancellor this lunchtime, Kate Shoesmith, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “It’s important to remember that the cost of living and the cost of business are two sides of the same coin. “While most of...
Firms Warn of Rising Costs from Iran Crisis
New research shows 80% of surveyed firms report an existing or expected impact from the Iran conflict, including energy price increases, shipping disruption and rises in raw material costs The manufacturing sector is seeing the biggest impact, with 68% of firms...
Skills News
Early Years Conference Marks Launch of University Centre in Worcester
The work of early years professionals in the county was the topic of a conference which marked the launch of a new University Centre at Heart of Worcestershire College. The internationally renowned author, Ben Kingston-Hughes, who has written several early years...
Worcester recruitment firm supports students with CV and interview success tips
Experts from a leading Worcester recruitment firm have supported local school children through a one-day training programme which gave them tips how to write CVs and handle job interviews. Pineapple Recruitment, which specialise in providing a range of professionals...
Charity News
TRUELINE’S CHARLIE PREPARES TO TAKE ON THE ARCTIC FOR ACORNS CHILDREN’S HOSPICE
Trueline Products’ Fundraising Champion, Charlie Macaulay-Collins, is preparing to swap the comforts of home for snow, ice and temperatures well below freezing as she takes on an extraordinary Arctic challenge to raise vital funds for Acorns Children’s Hospice....
Autumn funding for local communities
One of the county’s largest charitable grant makers is launching a new round of the Strengthening Worcestershire grant making programme, in partnership with Worcestershire County Council. Through the first two funding rounds in 2024 and 2025, £287,000 has been...
Jobs Market Continues to Feel The Strain
Reacting to the latest labour market data from the ONS, Caterina Batog, Research and Economics Analyst at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Unemployment remained at 4.9%, in the three months to July, a clear indication of the continued stress businesses are...
BCC News
Jobs Market Continues to Feel The Strain
Reacting to the latest labour market data from the ONS, Caterina Batog, Research and Economics Analyst at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Unemployment remained at 4.9%, in the three months to July, a clear indication of the continued stress businesses are...
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
Hereford Military History Festival Honours Herefordshire History with Network of Local Partners and Community Support
HEREFORD, 19th August 2025 — The inaugural Hereford Military History Festival 2025 is a highly ambitious new addition to the UK’s cultural calendar, which aims to support the city’s local community, celebrate its culture and heritage, and honour its rich military...
McPhillips wins £10m bus station redevelopment contract
West Midlands-based construction company McPhillips has won a £10 million local authority contract to deliver a new and improved bus station. Herefordshire Council announced McPhillips as its official construction partner on the Hereford Transport Hub project, part of...
All Latest News
Parents warned of inheritance tax risks when gifting family home
Parents who are considering transferring the family home to their children to reduce inheritance tax (IHT) are being warned the move may not deliver the expected tax benefits they hoped. Jack Robinson, a senior associate in the Private Client division at...
Law Student Brings Home Gold from International Karate Contest
An aspiring lawyer came back from the brink of defeat to win gold for England at the Karate World Championships. University of Worcester Law student Paulina (Lina) Makazlieva took on competitors from around the world at the International Combat Organisation tournament...
Chancellor Takes Steady Approach But Growth Missing
Responding to the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “This was a ‘steady as you go’ budget, sending the right signals to business, but lacking big calls that would really shift the economic dial....
Harlow Timber Centre Teams Up with BBC’s DIY SOS for Local Family Build
Kidderminster timber supplier joins tradespeople and volunteers in Bewdley home transformation. Harlow Timber Centre – Kidderminster has joined forces with local trades and volunteers for an upcoming episode of BBC One’s DIY SOS: The Big Build, helping transform...
BALLARDS ADVISES ON D&G SECURITY SYSTEMS SALE TO RANGER
Pictured: Rich Grover, Corporate Finance Partner at Ballards Ballards Corporate Finance has advised the shareholders of Worcestershire based D&G Security Systems on its sale to Ranger Fire and Security, in a deal that strengthens the buyer’s presence across the...
Exciting new developments for KEMP Hospice shops across the Wyre Forest
KEMP Hospice is bringing exciting changes to its local shops, with a refresh at their Worcester Street, Kidderminster shop, a new home in Stourport and the opening of a dedicated bookshop in Bewdley this November. KEMP Hospice is looking forward to an exciting new...
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