Business Direction Online
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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.
New Chair Elected by BCC Board
The board of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has unanimously elected Michael Hayman MBE DL as the new Chair of the organisation. Michael, who joined the BCC board in October last year, succeeds Sarah Howard MBE who has served as Chair for the last six and a...
Latest Article
New Chair Elected by BCC Board
The board of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has unanimously elected Michael Hayman MBE DL as the new Chair of the organisation. Michael, who joined the BCC board in October last year, succeeds Sarah Howard MBE who has served as Chair for the last six and a...
Member News
How fast can you act on feedback?
Customer experience is now defined by continuous, everyday interactions, not just big moments. Many organisations struggle not with a lack of feedback, but with the speed at which they can access, understand, and act on it. Traditional surveys and periodic reporting...
Photography students set to capture Hereford’s new transport hub in pictures
Construction of Hereford’s new £10 million transport hub is being captured in pictures thanks to a group of Hereford photography students. Contractor McPhillips has partnered with Hereford College of Arts to give a group of BA Photography students regular access to...
Patron & Strategic News
Domestic Abuse legislation put under the spotlight by Family law experts
A leading Family lawyer has questioned the effectiveness of new government legislation which is meant to further protect domestic abuse victims. The government recently announced its “Plan for Change” with an ambition to halve violence against women and girls over the...
Artist Unveils Cromwell-Inspired Textiles in Major Exhibition at The Hive
A decade-long journey of creativity, literature, and archival discovery will be unveiled at The Hive in Worcester, as textile artist Dr Lucie Bea Dutton presents a lecture and exhibition, inspired by Hilary Mantel’s Cromwell Trilogy. Dr Dutton has spent more than a...
Chamber News
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Announces NEW Strategic Digital Training Partnership with Make Strides
Empowering Local Businesses with ‘Leadership Thinking’. Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Make Strides, a digital-first learning and development company specialising in both early-career and...
New Skills Boost Funding Offers Up to £6,000 for Chamber Training
Businesses across Herefordshire and Worcestershire can now access up to £6,000 in grant funding to support staff training, thanks to the return of the Skills Boost 2025–26 programme. Delivered in partnership with Worcestershire Growth Hub, the initiative aims to help...
Our Latest Member
Pineapple Recruitment Marks Second Anniversary with Worcester Office Move
A growing Worcester recruitment firm which provides talent for the catering and hospitality sectors has relocated to new headquarters in the city as it marks its second birthday. Pineapple Recruitment has moved its eight-strong team to the Painting House on Severn...
Pineapple Recruitment Marks Second Anniversary with Worcester Office Move
A growing Worcester recruitment firm which provides talent for the catering and hospitality sectors has relocated to new headquarters in the city as it marks its second birthday. Pineapple Recruitment has moved its eight-strong team to the Painting House on Severn...
Policy News
Government Must Harness Retail Investor Optimism
Over half of retail investors (53%) are optimistic about their investments over the next twelve months (compared to 42% in May) 40% of investors expect to increase the amount of money they invest over the next twelve months Younger investors are most confident, with...
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...
Skills News
Ballards LLP Business Services Team Ignites Innovation and Adventure
Ballards LLP, a leading professional services firm, today organised a collaborative session at Eastnor Castle, delivering a transformative experience for their Business Services team. Against the backdrop of 5000 acres of Herefordshire countryside, the event focused...
Careers in Construction at Kidderminster College
As part of The Point Business Centre at Kidderminster College’s collaboration with CITB, Level 1 and 2 Bricklaying students at Kidderminster College recently had the chance to visit a local Barratt Homes development in Stourport. The visit stemmed from a...
Charity News
Act Now: Transform Rural Families and Strengthen Your Workforce
Herefordshire charity Vennture is urging local businesses to invest in families and schools to build a stronger, more resilient workforce. Across rural communities, unresolved parental conflict, isolation, and limited access to services quietly undermine children’s...
Hoople Training share life-saving techniques in Restart a Heart Month
‘Restart a Heart Month’ is a national campaign to raise awareness of cardiac arrest and to encourage people to learn CPR. Hoople Training proudly used their expertise to support the initiative by providing opportunities for the public to learn CPR, free of charge,...
Inflation Eases but Business Costs Still Biting
Responding to the latest inflation data, published by the ONS this morning, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “A further easing of inflation, to 3% in January, will be cautiously welcomed by businesses. Firms will be hoping it...
BCC News
Inflation Eases but Business Costs Still Biting
Responding to the latest inflation data, published by the ONS this morning, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “A further easing of inflation, to 3% in January, will be cautiously welcomed by businesses. Firms will be hoping it...
Worcestershire News
Worcestershire Community Foundation Distributes £187,000 to Local Causes
One of the county’s largest charitable grant makers has distributed £187,000 in funding to 31 local groups and organisations across Worcestershire. The six-figure support came from Worcestershire Community Foundation through the Strengthening Worcestershire Fund which...
Social Media Legend Francis Bourgeois Backs SVR Landslip Appeal
The famous trainspotter Francis Bourgeois is highlighting the plight of the Severn Valley Railway, as it faces a substantial repair bill following its devastating recent landslip, just over two weeks ago. Francis visited the site of the landslip, between Hampton Loade...
Herefordshire News
Golden Chance to Study Engineering: NMITE Offers over 30 Scholarships and Support for Students: APPLY NOW
NMITE (New Model Institute for Technology & Engineering) today shares a reminder of the upcoming application deadline, 23rd August 2024, for the prestigious Motorola Solutions Foundation Scholarship as well as offering the Life Changer bursary initiative for local...
Hereford Care Homes Participate in Heartfelt Memory Walk Honouring Beloved Past Residents and Raise Funds for St Michael’s Hospice
Hampton Grange and Gwen Walford Care Homes proudly took part in a Memory Walk to honour the cherished memories of past residents Joe and Tom while raising vital funds for St Michael’s Hospice in Hereford. The event, held at the picturesque Queenswood Arboretum...
All Latest News
Community Care Provider Partners with College to Support Company Growth
Halesowen College is delighted to announce that Diamond Home Care, a specialist community care provider that operates across Dudley and Sandwell, has joined the college’s PowerPartner Programme with platinum partner status. This partnership will see Diamond Home Care...
University of Worcester Students and Staff Nominated for Prestigious Nursing Honours
Four students and a member of staff from the University of Worcester have all been shortlisted for prestigious honours in the latest Student Nursing Times Awards. The awards are widely regarded as one of the highest accolades available to student nurses, educators and...
Welcome New Members | February
A warm welcome to our newest members who joined us throughout February: Advita Ortho UK Ltd – A medical technology and device company manufacturing and supplying innovative orthopedic implants and AI-enhanced surgical solutions. Elgar Energy Holdings Ltd –...
Fresh Uncertainty As New 10 Per Cent Tariff Introduced
Reacting to a new 10 per cent US Tariff being introduced overnight instead of the expected 15 per cent, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “While a new 10 per cent tariff rate, instead of the threatened 15 per cent, will provide some relief it shows...
Wackadoo! Visit Bluey at the Severn Valley Railway this March
The Severn Valley Railway is all set for family fun in March, with appearances from the energetic and much-loved TV character Bluey on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 March. Families can take an exciting heritage train ride out to The Engine House, Highley, see Bluey and...
A Fresh Take on AI: A Practical Approach to Modern Marketing
AI is the business buzzword of 2026, but how do professionals feel about AI? There’s a growing sense of curiosity around what AI can do for us, but there’s also hesitation around its reliability and what happens when we become too dependent on the intelligence. As...
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