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.
HydroShunter launched at Kidderminster as UK’s first hydrogen-powered shunting locomotive enters the market Date: 26 February 2026
Vanguard Sustainable Transport Solutions and the Severn Valley Railway today (Thursday 26 February) marked a major milestone in railway decarbonisation with the official launch to market of the UK’s first hydrogen-powered railway shunting locomotive, unveiled at the...
Latest Article
HydroShunter launched at Kidderminster as UK’s first hydrogen-powered shunting locomotive enters the market Date: 26 February 2026
Vanguard Sustainable Transport Solutions and the Severn Valley Railway today (Thursday 26 February) marked a major milestone in railway decarbonisation with the official launch to market of the UK’s first hydrogen-powered railway shunting locomotive, unveiled at the...
Member News
Steam trains set the pace for new multi-sport challenge in the Severn Valley
The Severn Valley Railway is delighted to support an exciting new multi-sport event, Steaming Down the Valley, taking place at Severn Valley Country Park on Saturday 6 June 2026. Hosted by Shropshire Council and organised by a dedicated team of local volunteers, this...
Inspiring Women Take the Stage at Worcester Business School
The successes of women connected to the University of Worcester will be celebrated ahead of International Women’s Day in a special event at Worcester Business School. Held at the University’s City Campus on Friday 6 March, 4.15-7pm, the event will feature talks from...
Patron & Strategic News
University of Worcester Expert Sheds Light on Ukrainian Play’s Journey to the Stage
A University of Worcester expert who uncovered a Ukrainian reimagining of Shakespeare’s Othello will share the play’s remarkable journey to the stage in a special event at The Hive. Professor of Shakespeare Studies, Nicoleta Cinpoeş, helped bring the adaptation to...
Leading Figures in Basketball Named University of Worcester Fellows
Two leading figures in the world of basketball will join the University of Worcester’s College of Fellows at this year’s March graduation ceremony. Mick Donovan MBE and Professor Alejandro Vaquera have both accepted prestigious Fellowships recognising their...
Chamber News
The Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) 1 is Now Open – Have Your Say
The first Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) of the year is now open, and the Chamber is encouraging businesses across Herefordshire and Worcestershire to take part. Running from 9 January to 2 March, QES 1 provides businesses with the opportunity to share their...
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce becomes a Certified B Corporation
The Chamber joins the growing movement of companies using business as a force for good. Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has today announced its certification as a B Corporation (or B Corp), joining a growing movement of companies that are...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members | December
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout December: Untapped Global Ltd – Specialists in inclusive communications and marketing, helping organisations reach diverse audiences with clarity and impact. Proelium Law LLP – A specialist law firm advising...
Welcome New Members | December
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout December: Untapped Global Ltd – Specialists in inclusive communications and marketing, helping organisations reach diverse audiences with clarity and impact. Proelium Law LLP – A specialist law firm advising...
Policy News
New Tariff Rate A Further Blow To Business
Reacting to the decision by the US President to raise his new tariffs under section 122 of the Trade Act 1974 to 15 per cent, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “The 40,000 UK companies exporting goods to the US will be dismayed at this latest turn...
Apprenticeship System Reform Must Go Further
A new report from the British Chambers of Commerce is calling for the government to reform the apprenticeship system to make it fit for the 21st Century. As the UK celebrates National Apprenticeships Week, it finds that the current framework is too rigid, lacks...
Skills News
Top 100 recognition for Apprenticeship programme
Bishop Fleming has ranked 11th in the Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2025, its highest-ever position for its highly impressive apprenticeship programme. It is ahead of national professional services firms, including KPMG, EY, BDO, Mazars, and Azets. The...
Level 4 HNC and/or Level 5 HND in Leadership & Management
Designed to develop your knowledge of team leadership and management from a management perspective, this HTQ aims to enhance your skills to progress into employment across a wide range of industries. The purpose of the qualification is to develop students as...
Charity News
National Charity the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust marks 10 Years of Funding Vital Research and Supporting Families
2026 sees national charity the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust mark ten years of incredible achievements in supporting children and families dealing with a cancer diagnosis, both through physical support and by funding thousands of pounds into vital research...
ZwickRoell Donates €1,000 to Community First Responders Charity Following Global Fitness Challenge
ZwickRoell has donated €1,000 to the Community First Responders (CFR) Charity following the successful completion of its global “ZwickRoell Runs The World” Challenge, which encouraged employees, customers, and suppliers to stay active while supporting meaningful...
Trade Accelerator To Transform Export Opportunities
A pioneering new project by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in partnership with NatWest and the British Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, is aiming to scale up UK exports. The 6-month pilot programme, the Singapore Life Sciences Trade Accelerator, will...
BCC News
Trade Accelerator To Transform Export Opportunities
A pioneering new project by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in partnership with NatWest and the British Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, is aiming to scale up UK exports. The 6-month pilot programme, the Singapore Life Sciences Trade Accelerator, will...
Worcestershire News
Budget consultation for businesses
Worcester City Council is the only organisation exclusively dedicated to serving Worcester’s 106,700 residents, but we face tough decisions as we consider how your money should be spent and what our priorities should be for the year ahead. Every year the Council is...
Atwell International has been nominated for Elevator World’s Product of the Year
We’re so proud that Atwell International has been nominated for Elevator World’s Product of the Year, and public voting is still open! Cast your vote now: https://elevatorworld.com/contests/product-of-the-year/ If you haven’t had a chance to vote yet, we’d really...
Herefordshire News
Mandatory certification requirements for professional rodenticide purchase came into force January 1, 2026 across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
PGM Pest Control is urging UK businesses, farmers, and pest control professionals to review their rodent management following major regulatory changes that came into force on 1 January 2026 under the UK Rodenticide Stewardship Regime. The updated rules mean that...
Celebrating excellence in apprenticeships
We are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the first-ever Herefordshire Apprenticeship Awards. Hosted by Herefordshire Growth Hub in partnership with Herefordshire Council and local training organisations, these awards will recognise and celebrate:...
All Latest News
University of Worcester Expert Sheds Light on Ukrainian Play’s Journey to the Stage
A University of Worcester expert who uncovered a Ukrainian reimagining of Shakespeare’s Othello will share the play’s remarkable journey to the stage in a special event at The Hive. Professor of Shakespeare Studies, Nicoleta Cinpoeş, helped bring the adaptation to...
First sale at The Boulevard highlights Bromsgrove’s national appeal
A surge of interest in a prime Bromsgrove industrial development being marketed by commercial property agency John Truslove has seen the first deal completed and a number of units placed under offer. A private investor has purchased and completed on Unit 6 The...
Leading Figures in Basketball Named University of Worcester Fellows
Two leading figures in the world of basketball will join the University of Worcester’s College of Fellows at this year’s March graduation ceremony. Mick Donovan MBE and Professor Alejandro Vaquera have both accepted prestigious Fellowships recognising their...
The Severn Valley Railway’s Spring Steam Gala promises a ‘Pug and Judy’ show
The Severn Valley Railway has unveiled two more visiting locomotives for its Spring Steam Gala, taking place from 16 to 19 April. The railway has confirmed that diminutive industrial favourite Port of Par Judy and Lancashire stalwart LMS ‘Pug’ 11243 will be joining...
Trade Accelerator To Transform Export Opportunities
A pioneering new project by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in partnership with NatWest and the British Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, is aiming to scale up UK exports. The 6-month pilot programme, the Singapore Life Sciences Trade Accelerator, will...
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...
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