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.
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...
Latest Article
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...
Member News
Disruption Doesn’t Book a Slot in Your Diary: How to Communicate with Staff When It Strikes
In my blog, I explore practical ways to lead your team through disruption, build trust, reduce uncertainty, and guide your people with clear, confident communication. If the last year has taught us anything, it’s that disruption never shows up at a good time. And when...
France’s favourite wine day is almost here.
Every November, as the clock strikes midnight, France pops its corks to celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau Day – the arrival of the year’s first wine. Fresh, fruity, and full of life, it’s a symbol of new beginnings. (and a great excuse for a party). This year, we’re...
Patron & Strategic News
From Worcester to Wembley! Former city student leads AFC Wimbledon’s League One Return.
A former University of Worcester student is preparing for the 2025–26 season as AFC Wimbledon’s Director of Football, having helped guide the club to promotion via the League Two play-offs. Craig Cope, 32, has been the youngest Director of Football in the English...
Meet Herefordshire wine maker & sample wines at Hellens Garden Festival charity fundraiser
VISITORS to Hellens Garden Festival this weekend will be able to meet the team from an artisan Herefordshire wine maker and taste its award-winning products while also fundraising for charity (June 2025). Foxbury Fields Vineyard is at Hellens Manor, Much Marcle on...
Chamber News
A year in review at Guest Homes – by Becca Byford
Becca Byford, COO of Guest Homes looks back on her first year at Guest Homes Ltd and reflects on the wins and challenges that being a Chief Operating Officer of a growing firm has brought. Since joining the growing corporate and holiday lets business, Becca has...
Worcestershire Works Well Announces Award Sponsored by Southco
The Worcestershire Works Well Innovation in Health and Wellbeing Award sponsored by Southco was launched this week to members of the wellbeing scheme. The award presents the opportunity to celebrate the achievements and efforts of companies who have continued to...
Our Latest Member
Welcome new Members!
The Chamber would like to wish a very warm welcome to our newest Members this month: Herefordshire International Special Training Facility – Covert Operations Ltd – Professional Training Services, supplier of Covert Technologies and Operational Solutions to...
Welcome new Members!
The Chamber would like to wish a very warm welcome to our newest Members this month: Herefordshire International Special Training Facility – Covert Operations Ltd – Professional Training Services, supplier of Covert Technologies and Operational Solutions to...
Policy News
BCC: Concerns over Inflation Rise as Manufacturers’ Price Expectations Climb to 4-year High
The British Chambers of Commerce have announced the publication of new research which shows a rising number of firms expecting their prices to increase significantly in the coming months. The figures also document growing concern among businesses over rising...
EU & UK Relationship Update
Cabinet Office Minister Lord Frost and EU Commission Vice President Šefčovič held an informal meeting on Thursday evening in Brussels to discuss outstanding issues on the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland. In a statement published by the UK Government following the meeting, Lord Frost said that some “positive momentum had been established”. However, he added that “a number of difficult issues remained” and agreed to “intensified contacts at all levels” in the coming weeks. Both parties reiterated their commitment to further outreach with business groups, civil society and other stakeholders in Northern Ireland.
Skills News
Access to Finance Summit, 11th April 2019 at Marches Growth Hub Hereford
Are you in the banking or professional sector offering funding and finance advice to small businesses? Do you want to know more about the best ways to help small and micro businesses get the funding they need to flourish? If so, this key summit organised by the...
Over 5,000 young people attend Worcestershire’s largest ever skills event
Approximately 6,000 young people, employers and education providers from across the Midlands attended last week’s Worcestershire Skills Show 2019. A total of 46 schools and colleges attended the event on Wednesday 13 March, with over 110 of the county’s most exciting...
Charity News
Bottles Wine Merchants, in partnership with GMP Recruitment, are hosting a charity night for New Hope Children’s Charity in Worcester
Bottles Wine Merchants, in partnership with GMP Recruitment, are hosting a charity night for New Hope Children’s Charity in Worcester where there will be music aplenty and a charity auction of reasonably priced local products and services. All proceeds from...
Call from hospice for volunteers to support families
A Worcestershire hospice is calling for caring and compassionate people to step forward as volunteers and help make a difference to patients or bereaved people when they need it most. St Richard’s Hospice, based in Worcester, is aiming to boost the number of...
SME Divide Revealed on Environmental Targets
Ahead of COP 29, the UN Climate Change Conference in Azerbaijan, British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) research has found a clear divide among SMEs on environmental targets. The survey, by the BCC’s award-winning Insights Unit, shows around half of firms with more...
BCC News
SME Divide Revealed on Environmental Targets
Ahead of COP 29, the UN Climate Change Conference in Azerbaijan, British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) research has found a clear divide among SMEs on environmental targets. The survey, by the BCC’s award-winning Insights Unit, shows around half of firms with more...
Worcestershire News
Centenary Lounge – Did you see their TV debut?
Centenary Lounge are excited to share some fantastic news about their cafe at Leamington Spa Station. Centenary Lounge has been featured in the latest episode of “The Architecture the Railways Built” with Tim Dunn on the Yesterday Channel, and they...
Droitwich event aims to boost business in Worcestershire.
Potter Space, the market leader in the small to mid-box (sub-100k sq. ft.) industrial and logistics property sector, held a breakfast networking and panel event aimed at boosting business in Worcestershire on 27 April. The morning event saw local businesses,...
Herefordshire News
Hereford business, Momentum Pharma Ltd, Wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise
Momentum Pharma Ltd has been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for excellence in International Trade. Announced today Thursday 21 April 2022, Momentum Pharma has been recognised for its excellence in International Trade. Momentum Pharma is one of 225...
Prometheus Medical International Clinical Lead Appointed to Faculty Advisory Board
Prometheus Medical are delighted to announce that their very own Dr. Sarah Richardson has been appointed to the interim Faculty Advisory Board of Rural, Remote and Humanitarian Healthcare at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. The Faculty’s primary objective...
All Latest News
3 Traits That Lead The Self-Employed To Success
1. Strong communication skills Clear and effective communication is crucial for self-employed success, whether you’re pitching to customers, networking, or negotiating contracts. Successful individuals can articulate their value proposition and build strong...
Intellectual Property (IP) : The Overlooked Driver of Business Growth and Finance
When we talk about business growth, the focus often turns to funding, recruitment, or expanding into new markets. But there’s one asset that’s frequently overlooked—and yet it’s probably the most valuable: your Intellectual Property (IP). Whether you’re...
Wyevale Nurseries launches new Bareroot Hedging and Forestry Catalogue
WYEVALE Nurseries has launched a new Bareroot Hedging and Forestry Catalogue this month featuring details of the varieties it grows and the benefits of using each one (May 2025). The leading commercial nursery hopes industry members will use the free, handy guide,...
Skills Minister Supports VC Raising Funds for Student Scholarships and Hardship Funds
Support and donations for the University of Worcester’s Vice Chancellor continue to pour in, as he reaches the halfway mark on his challenge to raise money for student scholarship and hardship funds. Professor David Green CBE DL is walking 280km along the coastal path...
Funding and Intellectual Property
The link between funding and intellectual property rights is often underestimated, and having a patent can do more for you than just keep your competitors at bay. R&D Tax Credits R&D tax credits are a government incentive designed to reward companies for...
Why don’t UK innovators file enough patents?
Many SMEs understand the value of patents, and routinely file patent applications to protect their innovation. However, UK innovators are lagging behind those in many other countries when it comes to patent ownership. Japan is, unsurprisingly, one of the leading...
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