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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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Former New Zealand PM Among Contributors to New Book Edited by Worcester Expert
The former Prime Minister of New Zealand is among the distinguished names who have contributed to a new book on the UK’s constitution, edited by a Worcester expert. Dr Chris Monaghan, Principal Lecturer in Law at the University of Worcester’s Law School, has just...
Latest Article
Former New Zealand PM Among Contributors to New Book Edited by Worcester Expert
The former Prime Minister of New Zealand is among the distinguished names who have contributed to a new book on the UK’s constitution, edited by a Worcester expert. Dr Chris Monaghan, Principal Lecturer in Law at the University of Worcester’s Law School, has just...
Member News
Pineapple Recruitment achieves triple crown of ISO accreditations
Worcestershire-based jobs specialist Pineapple Recruitment has achieved a triple ISO accreditation, underlining its commitment to quality, environmental responsibility and health and safety. Following a rigorous independent auditing process, the company has been...
Bromsgrove businesses invited to attend new networking event
Bromsgrove businesses are invited to attend a brand-new networking event hosted by BCRS Business Loans next month. Lending specialists BCRS Business Loans is launching its first Wine After Work networking event at the Queens Head, Sugarbrook Lane in Bromsgrove on...
Patron & Strategic News
Golfers set to tee up for High Sheriff’s charity golf day
The High Sheriff of Worcestershire is set to host his annual golf day, which is expected to raise thousands of pounds for charity. The county’s High Sheriff, Maynard Burton, is hosting a golf event on Thursday 8th October at The Worcestershire Golf Club in Malvern,...
Special Event Explores the Stories Behind Hilary Mantel’s Success
One of the world’s leading experts on Hilary Mantel will explore the work, life and lasting influence of the twice Booker Prize-winning author at an event in Worcester this month. Dr Lucy Arnold, Senior Lecturer in English Literature at the University of Worcester,...
Chamber News
Celebrating Excellence at the 2025 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards
The 2025 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards marked a significant milestone in the county’s ongoing commitment to developing talent, celebrating success, and championing the value of apprenticeships. Now in its eleventh year, the programme continues to grow in...
Welcome New Members | November
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout November Lucy Labels – A sticker and labelling business offering custom labels. Barclays Greater Birmingham and The Three Counties Corporate – Barclays’ regional corporate banking services for businesses....
Our Latest Member
Meet OCM – Your local experts in sustainable IT asset management
As a proud new member of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, OCM is excited to introduce their team to fellow businesses across the region. Based in Pershore, Jennine, Richard and co have been delivering secure, sustainable and reliable IT...
Meet OCM – Your local experts in sustainable IT asset management
As a proud new member of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, OCM is excited to introduce their team to fellow businesses across the region. Based in Pershore, Jennine, Richard and co have been delivering secure, sustainable and reliable IT...
Policy News
Autumn Budget 2025: Your detailed summary
Rachel Reeves’s second Budget boosts welfare spending paid for through stealth tax rises, and taxes on property, savings and dividends. Income tax rates remain unchanged, but frozen thresholds for a further three years and wealth-focused levies do the heavy lifting. ...
Autumn Budget 2025: Chamber Response
Commenting on the Budget Statement, Robert Elliot, Director of Business Development & Policy, said: “For months we have been concerned that this Budget might repeat the chaos businesses faced in October 2024. While this statement is more stable, several measures...
Skills News
Workforce Planning (People and Skills)
With recruitment at an all-time high and the UK facing a skills shortage, staff retention is more important than ever. Not only is training an essential part of workforce planning, but the right training increases productivity and efficiency; improves employee...
Serco Restart Scheme: providing a free service in your area to fill job vacancies
ChamSerco Restart Scheme: providing a free service in your area to fill job vacancies The Restart Scheme is part of the Government’s wider ‘Plan for Jobs’ programmes to help long-term unemployed people develop their skills so they can find sustainable and meaningful...
Charity News
Local Children’s Cancer Charity Celebrates 10 Years with Landmark Anniversary Ball
The Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust, based in Upton Snodsbury, Worcestershire, are inviting the local community and businesses to join them in marking a major milestone at their 10th Anniversary Charity Ball. Taking place at Bank House Hotel Spa & Golf Club,...
Plant Fair brings in over £22,000 to St Michael’s
Over 2,000 visitors attended the latest edition of the renowned St Michael’s Hospice Plant Fair. The annual three-day event is set to raise well over £20,000 for the charity, which provides palliative and end-of-life care to families across Herefordshire and its...
UK Exporters Floundering As Headwinds Build
The proportion of businesses reporting increased exports orders fell to 16% in Q2 2026, down from 25% in Q1. The balance of firms reporting increased orders stands at -10%, with 26% of businesses reporting a decrease. In the past 20 years, export orders have only...
BCC News
UK Exporters Floundering As Headwinds Build
The proportion of businesses reporting increased exports orders fell to 16% in Q2 2026, down from 25% in Q1. The balance of firms reporting increased orders stands at -10%, with 26% of businesses reporting a decrease. In the past 20 years, export orders have only...
Worcestershire News
Over 275,000 trees planted in the West Midlands over the last three years
Over 275,000 trees have been planted in the West Midlands as part of an ambitious three-year project to benefit the environment and local communities. The Heart of England Forest, in partnership with Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Warwick District Council and...
Supporters Rally Round after the Severn Valley Railway Suffers Devastating Landslip
As investigations continue into a devastating landslip on its line, the Severn Valley Railway has released dramatic new images of the damage caused and has paid tribute to the hundreds of people who’ve already made donations to help it pay for remedial work. The...
Herefordshire News
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...
Visit Herefordshire Tourism Awards 2024/2025
It’s an exciting time for Herefordshire and its tourism industry. We pride ourselves in just how very special our county is and in all corners there are brilliant businesses offering visitors superb experiences, accommodation and food & drink. The Herefordshire...
All Latest News
Bromsgrove businesses invited to attend new networking event
Bromsgrove businesses are invited to attend a brand-new networking event hosted by BCRS Business Loans next month. Lending specialists BCRS Business Loans is launching its first Wine After Work networking event at the Queens Head, Sugarbrook Lane in Bromsgrove on...
AI-driven CVs create recruitment headache for employers
A Worcestershire recruitment firm has urged businesses to rethink how they screen jobseekers as AI is making it easier for candidates to submit large volumes of job applications at the click of a button. Joanna Pennell, divisional manager at Worcester-based Pineapple...
BCC Economic Forecast: Weak Business Investment Hits Growth Outlook
The latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Economic Forecast suggests the outlook for the UK will remain uncertain. While the economy was more resilient in Q2 than expected, higher energy and business costs are likely to keep growth weak this year and next. The key...
Bewdley Express rolls out for first commuter journey on the SVR
The Severn Valley Railway’s Bewdley Express commuter trial got off to a flying start today [Tuesday 1 September] as the first heritage train carried passengers from Bewdley towards Birmingham, marking the beginning of an eight-week experiment in connecting the town...
New paralegal joins mfg’s Residential Property department as work grows
Law firm mfg Solicitors has added further to its growing Residential Property team with the appointment of a new paralegal. Elizabeth Simpson has joined the firm from Parkinson Wright where she spent just over two years. Aside from supporting the team and its clients,...
Steam returns as the SVR’s Autumn Steam Gala gets the green light
The Severn Valley Railway is preparing to bring steam operations back into service this week, following significant rainfall across Worcestershire and Shropshire, meaning its Autumn Steam Gala will go ahead as planned. At long last, the SVR has received the...
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