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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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Julie Finch, CEO of Hay Festival, appointed Chair of Governors at Hereford College of Arts
Hereford College of Arts (HCA) has announced the appointment of Julie Finch, Chief Executive Officer of Hay Festival Foundation as its new Chair of the Board of Governors. Julie succeeds Mervyn Jones, who steps down after nine years of service. A respected cultural...
Latest Article
Julie Finch, CEO of Hay Festival, appointed Chair of Governors at Hereford College of Arts
Hereford College of Arts (HCA) has announced the appointment of Julie Finch, Chief Executive Officer of Hay Festival Foundation as its new Chair of the Board of Governors. Julie succeeds Mervyn Jones, who steps down after nine years of service. A respected cultural...
Member News
Charity Quiz raises over £1,700 for Redgate Sports
SME Solicitors’ 13th Annual Charity Quiz, hosted on 13 November at Worcestershire County Cricket Club, raised £1,789.78 for Redgate Sports, a local charity dedicated to creating sports opportunities for young people. Since its official launch in June 2024,...
Join Herefordshire Ludlow and North Shropshire College’s Patron Rewards initiative!
Employers have an opportunity to shape the future workforce, and now, will be able to gain access to the college’s new Employer Patron Rewards Scheme. This initiative is designed to reward and grow collaboration between local employers and the college, ensuring...
Patron & Strategic News
Scoring Big: Brookes Catering Celebrates 25 Years with Stadium Triumph
Celebrating 25 years in business, Worcester’s Brookes Catering is having a landmark year, demonstrating how strategic growth can build on a legacy of quality. Long respected for bespoke corporate and wedding catering, the company’s reputation for fresh food and...
Dolphin Computer Access: Innovating for Accessibility, Inclusion and Global Impact
From its headquarters in Worcester, Dolphin Computer Access transforms lives through technology that empowers blind and partially sighted people. It’s a leading example of how innovation fuels commercial success and social impact. For more than 35 years, Dolphin has...
Chamber News
Welcome New Members August
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout July. ActionCOACH Worcester – The help you need to grow your business. Agility Fleet – Agility Fleet is a national provider of vehicle funding and fleet management, specialising in the SME market....
Dozens of Students Dressed to Impress Thanks to Kind Community Donations
An initiative to help university students dress the part for interviews and placements has proven a huge success. Placements are a big part of courses at the University of Worcester, and students often enter environments where they’re required to dress smartly....
Our Latest Member
Welcome to our New Members – March 2025
Our warmest welcome to our new members – AJB Sports in Education – Sports Coaching company proudly working Pre Schools and Primary schools, running Girls Football, Childrens Birthday Parties and Childrens Holiday Camps in Worcester. With an innovative...
Welcome to our New Members – March 2025
Our warmest welcome to our new members – AJB Sports in Education – Sports Coaching company proudly working Pre Schools and Primary schools, running Girls Football, Childrens Birthday Parties and Childrens Holiday Camps in Worcester. With an innovative...
Policy News
Rising Real Wages Pile On More Pressure
Responding to the latest labour market data, published by the ONS this morning, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The ONS data suggests that the jobs market is continuing to loosen as unemployment rises, vacancies...
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...
Skills News
Coacto Team Members Excel with Salesforce Certifications
We are thrilled to announce that two of our talented team members at Coacto, Jessica Hargreaves and Laura Hardwick, have recently achieved significant milestones in their professional development by earning Salesforce certifications. Jessica Hargreaves has...
Boost Recruitment and Retention with ISO 9001
ISO 9001 is known internationally for helping businesses consistently meet customer requirements but is less known for its other benefits like supporting recruitment and retention. Local ISO experts at ISO Quality Services highlight five ways ISO 9001 could help you...
Charity News
Mental Elf 2025 Kidderminster
About this event Holiday • Christmas Held at the stunning Bodenham Arboretum in Kidderminster, this event isn’t just about raising funds, it’s about bringing our community together and shining a light on the importance of mental health and wellbeing, especially during...
Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust endorses Jess’s Rule to work with GPs to improve early cancer detection
The Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust is proud to support the launch of Jess’s Rule; an initiative aimed at improving the early detection of cancer and other serious diseases in patients. Officially introduced today, Jess’s Rule advocates for a specific approach to...
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...
BCC 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...
Worcestershire News
Severn Valley Railway in Discussions with Insurers over landslip
The Severn Valley Railway is currently in discussions with insurers about repairs for its significant landslip at Mor Brook bridge. The embankment failure happened in late January and has forced the closure of the northernmost section of the line. ‘We’ve had several...
Third visitor announced for Severn Valley Railway’s Spring Diesel Festival
Organisers have confirmed that a pair of HST powercars will join the guest line-up at the Severn Valley Railway’s Spring Diesel Festival. Nos 43480 and 43468 from Rail Adventure will appear at the four-day event, which takes place between 15 and 18 May. The HST...
Herefordshire News
Herefordshire Ludlow and North Shropshire College’s Path to Net Zero
Educational institutions play a key role in promoting sustainable energy resources. Herefordshire Ludlow and North Shropshire College’s Low Carbon Technology Training Centre showcases this approach by offering specialised courses in renewable technologies, which for a...
Wye Valley Brewery Empower Business School Alumni Witnessing Sustainability in Action
Wye Valley Brewery recently hosted the University of Worcester Business School’s alumni for an exclusive event, with a special emphasis on sustainability. The event was designed to inspire and support local business leaders who have completed the ‘Help to Grow:...
All Latest News
Virtual tour transforms local charity play centre
Technology with Heart: Visual-Eyes & The Chamwell Centre For most of us, visiting a new location is routine. But for the children supported by the Chamwell Charity Centre, a new environment can be a source of significant stress. Chamwell provides a vital safe...
Key Employment Law Updates: Winter 2025
Employment Rights Bill in “Ping Pong” Phase as Key Provisions Remain in Debate As winter 2025 approaches, the Employment Rights Act 2025 has yet to be finalised, with several headline provisions still under dispute following rejection by the House of Lords on 28...
Inflation Eases – But Action Must Follow
Reacting to the latest ONS inflation data published this morning, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Businesses will be hoping October’s inflation rate of 3.6% is further evidence that inflation may now be past its peak....
Sluggish Economy Demands Strong Business Support
Reacting to the latest GDP data published this morning by the ONS, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “With a backdrop of weak business and investment confidence, sluggish Q3 growth of just 0.1% is unsurprising. “But the data...
Severn Valley Railway – Black Friday Special Offer
Save 20% on Santa’s Steam Specials Tickets! You’ll need to hurry, this offer starts today (Friday 21 November) and ends at 4pm on Wednesday 26 November 2025. Santa’s Steam Specials tickets include: Private compartment or reserved table in a historic...
Grandparents given expert advice to ensure contact with grandchildren after marriage breakdowns
Grandparents worried about the lack of contact with their grandchildren following marriage breakdowns are being given legal advice to help repair relationships. Leading Worcestershire law firm mfg Solicitors has warned that grandparents do not have an automatic legal...
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