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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.
University Research Backs Innovative Prison Scheme to Break Cycle of Reoffending
Experts from the University of Worcester have been working with men recently released from prison to evaluate the impact of an innovative rehabilitation programme centred around fitness. Their report on the pilot scheme could help make the case for rolling the...
Latest Article
University Research Backs Innovative Prison Scheme to Break Cycle of Reoffending
Experts from the University of Worcester have been working with men recently released from prison to evaluate the impact of an innovative rehabilitation programme centred around fitness. Their report on the pilot scheme could help make the case for rolling the...
Member News
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...
Patron & Strategic News
The college’s new Employer Patron Scheme
Herefordshire Ludlow and North Shropshire College is launching its new Employer Patron Scheme, which is a free-to-join initiative to bring businesses and education closer together, to strengthen local skills opportunities and long-term partnerships across The Marches....
Empowering Local Employers with AI & Automation: Free Apprenticeship Insights Webinar Announced for 13th February
Local employers are invited to join a high‑value, free online event designed to help organisations understand and embrace the fast‑evolving world of artificial intelligence and automation. Coinciding with National Apprentiecship Week 2026, the AI & Automation...
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
The Rise of Alternative Conference and Filming Spaces in the Countryside
As businesses and creative industries look beyond traditional urban venues, there is a growing shift toward nature-inspired settings for corporate events, team retreats, and film productions. With an increasing focus on well-being, creativity, and sustainability,...
The Rise of Alternative Conference and Filming Spaces in the Countryside
As businesses and creative industries look beyond traditional urban venues, there is a growing shift toward nature-inspired settings for corporate events, team retreats, and film productions. With an increasing focus on well-being, creativity, and sustainability,...
Policy News
Business Welcomes Movement On EU Reset Negotiations
Responding to the release of the EU’s draft mandate for UK negotiations on removing checks on food and drink and eliminating carbon charges, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “Firms have been patiently waiting for signs of progress on the EU reset and...
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...
Skills News
Celebrating Learners’ Achievements at the Guildhall – TDM’s Graduation Ceremony in November 2023
The Development Manager Ltd. (TDM), a West Midlands based training provider, funded by the Deparrment for Education, held its annual graduation ceremony at the Guildhall in Worcester on 6th November. The ceremony saw the 2022-2023 degree apprenticeship,...
Businesses Urged to Help Schools and Colleges Shape Futures
Businesses were today urged to help develop the skilled workforce of the future – by playing their part as Enterprise Advisers. The Marches Careers Hub says it wants to recruit more advisers from the region’s business community to help inspire the workforce of the...
Charity News
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s 2025 Christmas Range Takes Off
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has announced the launch of its 2025 seasonal merchandise collection, which is already proving to be a hit amongst supporters. This year’s festive range features new additions of a star shaped key ring, a tea towel and shopping bag...
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity Urges Public to Learn CPR This Restart a Heart Day
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is set to teach lifesaving CPR skills to a further 1,000 people, thanks to generous donation from the charity Get Up Give Back, in support of Restart a Heart Day on Thursday 16th October 2025. Since being founded in 2018, Get Up...
Business Cheered By Further Fall In Inflation
Reacting to the latest ONS inflation data published this morning, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Businesses will be cheered by the larger than expected slowing of inflation in November to 3.2%, suggesting it is now...
BCC News
Business Cheered By Further Fall In Inflation
Reacting to the latest ONS inflation data published this morning, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Businesses will be cheered by the larger than expected slowing of inflation in November to 3.2%, suggesting it is now...
Worcestershire News
University of Worcester Recognised for Community Work and Inclusive Approach
The University of Worcester has been shortlisted for two awards recognising its contribution to the community and its commitment to inclusion. The Circle 2 Success Regional Business Awards celebrate excellence in businesses and organisations across the South Midlands...
Find out the secrets of the Severn Valley Railway!
The Severn Valley Railway is to throw open its doors on 5 and 6 April for its annual Open House Weekend. This is a rare chance for visitors to access many areas not usually open to the public. They’ll also be able to meet volunteers and discover what goes on behind...
Herefordshire News
Business leaders urged to join new board to shape Herefordshire economy
Herefordshire’s best business leaders are being urged to join a new independent board to help shape the county’s economic future. The Herefordshire Business Growth Board will play a leading role in driving the economy, supporting business growth, promoting innovation...
Herefordshire Business Growth Board
Background Following the previous government’s decision to transfer the economic functions and business representation from Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to local authorities, the Herefordshire Business Growth Board will play a leading role in driving the...
All Latest News
Services Trade Continues To Stall
Reacting to the latest trade data for November 2025 from the Office for National Statistics, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “Services exports have been the standout feature of UK trade over the past decade, and the prospect...
Clean Energy Deal A Welcome First Step
Reacting to the announcement of a new clean energy deal with the EU, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “It is essential for the UK’s energy security and economic growth that we co-operate more closely with our European allies to realise the...
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...
Early Childhood Degree at Worcester Earns Top National Recognition
The University of Worcester’s Early Childhood BA course has been awarded the prestigious Early Childhood Graduate Practitioners Competencies Quality Mark. The national recognition is awarded by the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network (ECSDN), and confirms the...
REHAU Decarbonises District Heating Deliveries by Fuelling Lorries with HVO
REHAU has improved the end-to-end sustainability of its district heating business by considering the impact of product delivery, switching to powering 85% of its lorries with hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) in partnership with CEVA Logistics. Recent UK government...
NMITE AND THE BRITISH ARMY UNVEIL DETAIL OF THE NEW UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE IN AUTONOMOUS ROBOTICS
Event attended by Al Carns MP, Minister for the Armed Forces 21 January 2026 – Following on from the December announcement of its new Autonomous Robotics degree, the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) hosted an event today in conjunction...
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