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.
Parents and Carers of University Students Invited to Talk
A free online talk will help parents and carers of students heading off to university this September. The event, held by the University of Worcester on Thursday July 3, will cover a range of areas and is available to anyone, wherever their young person is going to...
Latest Article
Parents and Carers of University Students Invited to Talk
A free online talk will help parents and carers of students heading off to university this September. The event, held by the University of Worcester on Thursday July 3, will cover a range of areas and is available to anyone, wherever their young person is going to...
Member News
Up to £1,000 of Fully Funded Workforce Planning Support for Worcestershire Businesses + How BuzzGen Benefited from Employer Branding Consultancy at No Cost
If you’re a business based in Worcestershire, there’s a fantastic opportunity currently available that could directly support your growth plans and it comes at no cost to you. The Worcestershire County Council (WCC) has launched a fully funded workforce planning tool...
Worcester Graduate Helping Schools to be Greener
Two decades after graduating, a former Worcester student is helping schools across England deliver on the Government’s ambition to embed sustainability into the national curriculum. Edd Moore, who graduated in 2005, has since led multiple schools to national and...
Patron & Strategic News
NMITE hosts events to boost local employment skills
NMITE hosts two events in June on employment skills for the modern workforce and pathways into business NMITE (New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering) is hosting two events in June, both highlighting employment and training pathways into business and...
Building Careers in Commercial Insurance: Apprentice Harry’s Success Story
Hazelton Mountford is proud to celebrate Apprentice Harry’s recent promotion. Joining in 2023, Harry quickly progressed from Apprentice to Small Business Account Handler while working toward his Cert CII qualification. He has already passed two exams and is...
Chamber News
Welcome New Members
Our warmest welcome to our newest members: Acquis Media Ltd – Production and Support Services Brown & Brown – Brown & Brown brokers provide a personal, local and specialised service backed by the market strength and capabilities of a leading global...
Autumn Budget 2024: Key Points
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered Labour’s first Budget since 2010, after the party’s return to power in July’s general election. Here are some key points to take away from the Autumn Budget. Personal Tax and benefits The Minimum wage for adults over 21 is set to...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members
Our warmest welcome to our newest members: Always Outdoors Ltd/Life Changing Activities – They facilitate adventurous outdoor activities and team challenges for all abilities. Their activities include rock climbing, gorge walking, canoeing, raft building, team...
Welcome New Members
Our warmest welcome to our newest members: Always Outdoors Ltd/Life Changing Activities – They facilitate adventurous outdoor activities and team challenges for all abilities. Their activities include rock climbing, gorge walking, canoeing, raft building, team...
Policy News
BCC Director General calls for ‘new settlement with our closest neighbours’
• Director General Shevaun Haviland calls on the Government to push for a new settlement with the EU to support British businesses to expand and drive growth. • More than 400 businesses are expected at the British Chambers of Commerce’s 2025 Driving International...
Labour Pressures Continue for Businesses
Reacting 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 labour market remains a significant challenge for employers who are struggling with skills...
Skills News
Faun Zoeller UK committed to hire five apprentices in 2023
FAUN- Zoeller UK (FZUK) continue to foster the next generation of talent by hiring talent through apprenticeship schemes which sees candidates who have completed their schooling, college or university be fully integrated into the workplace. The group has recently...
Launch of 2023 awards celebrates Worcestershire’s apprenticeship success
Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Worcestershire County Council have announced that the popular apprenticeship celebration event, the Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards are returning in 2023. The announcement was made at the end of National...
Charity News
Take on the Snowdon Sunrise Challenge and Support your Local Hospitals Charity!
Join us for an unforgettable adventure this summer! On Saturday, 28th June 2025, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Charity is hosting a Snowdon Sunrise Adventure—a magical moonlit hike to the summit of one of the UK’s tallest mountains. Imagine this: Reaching the peak of...
Syndicated Interview with Cast Member Alasdair Baker.
Dial M For Mayhem Syndicated interview with cast member Alasdair Baker. Tell us a little about yourself? I originally trained as a singer at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and worked as a professional singer for a few years. I then drifted into teaching and...
Procurement Act Must Quickly Deliver for SMEs
Only 20% of direct public sector procurement spend was with SMEs in 2024 – a similar figure to 2023 (19%) £45.4 billion was spent by Government directly with SMEs last year, up from £42.4 billion in 2023 Median spend per SME remained at £31,000 in 2024 Local...
BCC News
Procurement Act Must Quickly Deliver for SMEs
Only 20% of direct public sector procurement spend was with SMEs in 2024 – a similar figure to 2023 (19%) £45.4 billion was spent by Government directly with SMEs last year, up from £42.4 billion in 2023 Median spend per SME remained at £31,000 in 2024 Local...
Worcestershire News
Severn Valley Railway Shortlisted for Four Heritage Railway Awards
The Severn Valley Railway has been shortlisted in four categories for the prestigious Heritage Railway Association awards for 2025, which recognise excellence and innovation across the heritage rail sector. SVR-based locomotive, Stanier Mogul No 13268 is in the...
Top Marks for Worcester Students After Amazing Charity Spa Day
Beauty therapy students were showered with praise after hosting a charity spa day that showcased their glittering vocational skills and leadership. Level 2 and Level 3 Beauty Therapy students from Evesham New College, which is part of WCG, gained invaluable hands-on...
Herefordshire News
Celtic Marches Updates Labels
Celtic Marches are a single-estate apple cider producer, nestled in a quiet corner of Herefordshire. All apples used in their ciders are taken from their 200 acre orchards on the family farm in Bishops Frome. Being a family run cider maker, they have full control from...
Herefordshire Businesses Urged to Move Fast to Access £630,000 Funding
Businesses across Herefordshire should apply now to a £630,000 funding pot to help them grow and boost their productivity – before it’s too late. Capital grants of up to £35,000 are available to help businesses invest in new equipment, processes or technology to help...
All Latest News
How to Choose the Best Accountants Service for Your Business Needs
Choosing the right accountant isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about finding a trusted partner who can help you grow, stay compliant and make smarter financial decisions. In our latest article, we explore what to look for when selecting an accountant, including: ·...
Scale Smart: Why Growing Businesses Choose to Outsource Payroll Services
That’s why many growing businesses are choosing to outsource their payroll. From saving hours each month to reducing risk and staying compliant, it’s a smart move for scaling success. In our latest article, we cover: · Why in-house payroll becomes a bottleneck · The...
He’s the pinnacle of all that is evil, so why do people seem to like the Devil?
That’s the question being asked in a public talk by a University of Worcester expert in a talk at Script Haven bookshop this week. Professor Darren Oldridge is a specialist in sixteenth and seventeenth-century religious history and has recently given several popular...
University Expert to Give Poetry Masterclass
If you’ve ever held a dream of being the next Wordsworth, a special workshop with a University of Worcester academic might help you to get there. Course Leader for Creative Writing, Dr Jack McGowan, will be running a poetry workshop to give people advice and support....
The Last Word | Chamber leaders share the key to membership success
MARKETING AGENCY Owner Ruby Edwards talks to Mike Forrester, Chair, and Sharon Smith, CEO, of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce. Ruby: Over the years I’ve recommended and provided outsourced marketing to support standard, strategic and patron...
Social Media: Your Secret Weapon for Business Growth
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, social media is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’—it’s a critical tool for business growth. Yet, many business owners still see it as overwhelming, time-consuming, or even unnecessary. The truth? When used strategically, social media...
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