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.
Growing Private Client and Residential Property teams at SME Solicitors
The SME Solicitors team has grown a lot in the last few months. We are thrilled to welcome Lauren Cerri, Sandie Hutchings, Kim Bradley and Jordan Oakes to the team. Lauren Cerri, Solicitor in our Private Client team, joined us in February this year having previously...
Latest Article
Growing Private Client and Residential Property teams at SME Solicitors
The SME Solicitors team has grown a lot in the last few months. We are thrilled to welcome Lauren Cerri, Sandie Hutchings, Kim Bradley and Jordan Oakes to the team. Lauren Cerri, Solicitor in our Private Client team, joined us in February this year having previously...
Member News
Ann Muddiman retires after 33 years at SME Solicitors
Ann Muddiman marked her last day at SME Solicitors on 29 May. Ann began her career in 1979 and has worked at several firms across the West Midlands. She later joined John Stallard & Co. in March 1993 and, after the merger with March & Edwards in 2011, joined...
Trueline Products Recruits Three Early Careers Roles in One Morning Through Innovative Assessment Centre
A Worcestershire Chamber Strategic Member has successfully recruited two apprentices and one trainee in a single morning using an assessment centre approach designed to help employers identify potential rather than rely solely on CVs. Trueline Products, a local...
Patron & Strategic News
Ann Muddiman retires after 33 years at SME Solicitors
Ann Muddiman marked her last day at SME Solicitors on 29 May. Ann began her career in 1979 and has worked at several firms across the West Midlands. She later joined John Stallard & Co. in March 1993 and, after the merger with March & Edwards in 2011, joined...
Trueline Products Recruits Three Early Careers Roles in One Morning Through Innovative Assessment Centre
A Worcestershire Chamber Strategic Member has successfully recruited two apprentices and one trainee in a single morning using an assessment centre approach designed to help employers identify potential rather than rely solely on CVs. Trueline Products, a local...
Chamber News
UK Steel Strategy
From 1st July, the government will be reducing the amount of steel that can be imported without tariffs, meaning that there will be 50% import tariffs on companies that exceed the 60% quota set by the government. There is some uncertainty over the reasoning behind...
ATA Carnets Go Digital from 1 June 2026
From 1 June 2026, ATA Carnets will begin transitioning from paper to a digital format across the UK, EU, Norway and Switzerland. This marks the start of a global shift, with both paper and digital Carnets running side by side until 31 December 2027, allowing customs...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members | April 2026
A warm welcome to our newest members who joined us throughout April: Bexley Beaumont – A specialist provider of outsourced HR solutions and employee relations support for organisations across the UK. Cristie & Co – Offers tailored website management,...
Welcome New Members | April 2026
A warm welcome to our newest members who joined us throughout April: Bexley Beaumont – A specialist provider of outsourced HR solutions and employee relations support for organisations across the UK. Cristie & Co – Offers tailored website management,...
Policy News
More Help Needed on Business Costs
Responding to measures announced by the Chancellor this lunchtime, Kate Shoesmith, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “It’s important to remember that the cost of living and the cost of business are two sides of the same coin. “While most of...
Firms Warn of Rising Costs from Iran Crisis
New research shows 80% of surveyed firms report an existing or expected impact from the Iran conflict, including energy price increases, shipping disruption and rises in raw material costs The manufacturing sector is seeing the biggest impact, with 68% of firms...
Skills News
REHAU: Fenestration industry could do more to showcase its innovation and career opportunities
Recruiting skilled workers within the fenestration industry is becoming increasingly challenging and those within the sector are aware that it needs to do more to attract talent. The industry is more innovative and self-reliant than those outside of the sector give it...
Worcestershire celebrates outstanding success at Annual Apprenticeship Awards
Worcestershire celebrated its commitment to developing local talent and skills at the 2025 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards on Thursday 13 November. Now in their eleventh year of the Apprenticeships Awards, the 2025 celebrations continued to recognise the amazing...
Charity News
Hoople mark 6 months of good deeds
2026 marked Hoople’s 15th birthday. To celebrate this important milestone, the company decided to complete 15 “Good Deeds” throughout the year as a way of giving back to the community that has supported them along the way. At the half-way point, Hoople have been...
Taking the Leap for Lee’s Place
Fourteen courageous supporters took fundraising to new heights as they completed a tandem skydive at Swansea Airport in aid of Lee’s Place a Community Power project, raising vital funds to support people experiencing homelessness across Herefordshire....
Steel Quota Changes – A Step In The Right Direction
Reacting to today’s government announcement of changes to its planned steel tariffs and quotas, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “These amendments are a welcome tilt towards the needs of the UK’s downstream steel users, employing 300,000 people in...
BCC News
Steel Quota Changes – A Step In The Right Direction
Reacting to today’s government announcement of changes to its planned steel tariffs and quotas, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “These amendments are a welcome tilt towards the needs of the UK’s downstream steel users, employing 300,000 people in...
Worcestershire News
2026 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards announced following successful National Careers Week
Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Worcestershire County Council are pleased to announce the 2026 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards. The announcement comes at the conclusion of National Careers Week, a successful week of promoting the various...
Invitation for amateur musicians to be part of this year’s Elgar Festival
Organisers of the annual celebration of the life and music of Worcestershire’s most famous composer have announced an opportunity for musicians of all ages to be part a very special project. The Elgar Festival – which will take place from Saturday 23 May until Sunday...
Herefordshire News
Neurodiversity in Business Co- working: a neuroaffirming, sensory friendly, supportive environment for work and learning.
Nurturingnd is pleased announce a new addition to its service line up: neurodiversity in business co-working at The Shell Store, Hereford. The first session will be on Thursday 21st May and will include: • Three hours access to space and support 9.30am-12.30pm • Free...
Luctonians Sports Club investing in the future of Herefordshire’s young people
Luctonians Sports Club continues to invest in the next generation across Herefordshire, having engaged more than 20,000 children through its schools’ outreach programme since 1993 and raised over £250,000 for local charities since 2016. Today, the club is home to more...
All Latest News
Growing nutrition firm moves into new Redditch manufacturing base, aided by John Truslove
Health supplements business Ethical Nutrition is opening its first manufacturing site in Redditch after securing premises through commercial property agency John Truslove. It is a major development for the family business, launched by cancer survivor Grace Carter and...
Hereford Transport Hub reaches 75 per cent completion
Work on Hereford’s new Transport Hub has reached a major milestone, with the project now around 75 per cent complete and on track for an end-of-October opening. The £10 million scheme is part of the Improving Transport in Hereford programme. It will create a modern...
Stronger Together: New Webinar Programme Launches to Support Veterans’ Families and Friends
Combat Stress Learning is proud to launch the Stronger Together Programme, a new series of five live online webinars designed specifically for family members and friends of veterans. Families and loved ones often play a vital role in supporting veterans who may be...
Step Into the Footsteps of Literary Giants
A University of Worcester Lecturer is giving people the chance to walk in the footsteps of two of the regions most celebrated writers as part of Ledbury Poetry Festival. Journalism Lecturer Dan Johnson will guide walkers on paths exploring the life and work of John...
Brexit Burden Must Be Cut
As Brexit approaches its 10th anniversary, the British Chambers of Commerce says the government must set out a clear plan to ease the burdens it has placed on business. BCC research shows over half of UK exporters (54%) think the current trade deal with the EU is...
Steel Quota Changes – A Step In The Right Direction
Reacting to today’s government announcement of changes to its planned steel tariffs and quotas, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “These amendments are a welcome tilt towards the needs of the UK’s downstream steel users, employing 300,000 people in...
Want to submit a story?
If you would like to read our guide to submitting a story click here