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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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Dr Ellie Chowns MP Attends Herefordshire Area Council Meeting
Dr Ellie Chowns, MP for North Herefordshire recently attended the Chamber’s Herefordshire Area Council meeting held at NMITE’s facility on Skylon Park, Rotherwas. Ellie Chowns began by outlining current priorities within the constituency, the impact of international...
Latest Article
Dr Ellie Chowns MP Attends Herefordshire Area Council Meeting
Dr Ellie Chowns, MP for North Herefordshire recently attended the Chamber’s Herefordshire Area Council meeting held at NMITE’s facility on Skylon Park, Rotherwas. Ellie Chowns began by outlining current priorities within the constituency, the impact of international...
Member News
Acclaimed Author to Offer Rare Writing Session
An award-winning author will share the secrets behind her success in a free masterclass for budding writers and readers at The Hive. Liz Hyder, who is also a Writer in Residence at the University of Worcester, will speak about her books and the novel writing process...
Modern Work Experience at Specsavers M&D
Work experience at Specsavers Manufacturing & Distribution has evolved into a hands‑on and meaningful introduction to the world of work. Across Vision Labs, Lens Online, IGS and Kidderminster, students now gain real insight into how eyewear is produced,...
Patron & Strategic News
From GCSE Resits to PhD, Worcester Lecturer Champions Diverse Learners
A mother of two who once believed she ‘wasn’t good enough’ for university is now graduating with a PhD that explores how to empower silenced learners. Anastasia Kennett studied for her undergraduate degree in Special Educational Disabilities at the University of...
Occupational Therapy Comes to Local Charity After Staff Member Retrains
A newly trained Occupational Therapist is already making a difference to young people at her Worcestershire workplace, after retraining and reshaping her career. Emma Nokes graduates from the University of Worcester this week with her MSc in Occupational Therapy and...
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
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
Office Return Varies Across Sectors
41% of businesses have required staff to spend more time working on site over the past year One in ten (9%) relevant firms say employees have quit because of the requirement to return to onsite working Nearly half of surveyed businesses (48%) expect all working days...
SME Exporters Hit By New US Customs Charges
Responding to President Trump’s decision to charge import duties for low value goods entering the US, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “This development has been coming for several months but is still a major blow to UK exporters to the US. Smaller firms...
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
Non-cancer patient numbers under the care of St Michael’s Hospice exceed cancer patients for first time
One of Herefordshire’s largest charities says the number of its patients with non-cancer conditions has exceeded those with cancer for the first time. The change is down to an expansion of services offered by St Michael’s Hospice including expert care and support for...
Friends of Isaac’s Foodbank – Christmas Appeal
Reaching out to the powers of the Chamber of Commerce and my awesome network here! If you know Santa, or have any connections that know Santa, can you please share this in the hope the man in the red suit can come to my aid again this Christmas! I want to be sure that...
New Plan Needed As Fresh Tariff Pain Hits
The British Chambers of Commerce is urging the government to adopt its six-point plan to support UK exporters as the US President’s new 15 per cent tariff kicks in. Thousands of British businesses are expected to be worse off as they see the tariff paid on their...
BCC News
New Plan Needed As Fresh Tariff Pain Hits
The British Chambers of Commerce is urging the government to adopt its six-point plan to support UK exporters as the US President’s new 15 per cent tariff kicks in. Thousands of British businesses are expected to be worse off as they see the tariff paid on their...
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
Occupational Therapy Comes to Local Charity After Staff Member Retrains
A newly trained Occupational Therapist is already making a difference to young people at her Worcestershire workplace, after retraining and reshaping her career. Emma Nokes graduates from the University of Worcester this week with her MSc in Occupational Therapy and...
Introducing Socage UK Ltd – A World-Leading Manufacturer of Chassis & Track-Mounted MEWPs Now Supporting the UK Market
As a new member of the H&W Chamber I would like to introduce Socage UK Ltd. The largest manufacturer in the world of chassis and track mounted MEWPS. Made in Moderna, Italy available around the world and market leader in many countries. Our UK subsidiary is in...
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 US tariff rate, instead of the threatened 15 per cent, will provide some...
‘Made In Europe’ Plan Could Upend EU Reset
The British Chambers of Commerce has warned the UK could be sleepwalking into a legislative nightmare, which could upend the EU Reset, unless urgent action is taken. The EU is currently pursuing a Made In Europe agenda which aims to protect its industries from unfair...
Disruption Inevitable If Conflict Sustained
Commenting on the immediate impact on businesses of the US and Israeli combat operations in Iran and its military retaliation, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “There will be huge uncertainty for businesses as the situation in Iran and the wider...
Ministerial visit to Kidderminster sites shines spotlight on apprentices
Specsavers Manufacturing & Distribution (M&D) welcomed Jacqui Smith, Minister of State for Skills, to Lens Online and International Glazing Services (IGS) during National Apprenticeship Week on Friday 13 February. During the visit, Minister Smith met more than...
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