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.
Shortlisted for New Innovation of the Year – we need your vote!
We are thrilled to announce that ‘Journey’ developed by OCIUS CONSULTING, who is a member and regular contributor within the Chamber, has been shortlisted for an award in the prestigious Innovation Awards 2025! NEW INNOVATION OF THE YEAR – Ocius...
Latest Article
Shortlisted for New Innovation of the Year – we need your vote!
We are thrilled to announce that ‘Journey’ developed by OCIUS CONSULTING, who is a member and regular contributor within the Chamber, has been shortlisted for an award in the prestigious Innovation Awards 2025! NEW INNOVATION OF THE YEAR – Ocius...
Member News
Shape Worcestershire: Help Shape the Future of Local Councils
A major consultation is underway to decide how Worcestershire’s local government could be reshaped. Shape Worcestershire invites all residents to share their views on how council services should be delivered in the future. What’s Changing? Currently, Worcestershire...
New Course Explores Impact of Climate Change on Policing
The University of Worcester, West Mercia Police and e-learning company Indegu Ltd have joined forces to develop an awareness course for police staff on how climate change could impact policing in the future. The online programme is designed to educate on climate...
Patron & Strategic News
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...
Chamber News
LSIP Event
Business leaders and education providers in the Midlands have urged the new Government to ‘stick to the plan’ when it comes to closing the skills gap and helping businesses to develop the labour force they need. The plea came at an event celebrating the progress made...
Welcome New Members
The warmest welcome to our newest Members: Ansonware – Software development and IT consultancy company Apeiron Consulting Ltd – Portfolio Cheif Financial Officer and Consultancy Attain Auditing Ltd – ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems Lead Auditor...
Our Latest Member
From Social Worker to Family Mediator: Embracing a New Path to Help Families
After years of working as a social worker, I decided to transition into the field of family mediation. While I deeply valued my time as a social worker, supporting individuals and families in crisis, I found myself drawn to the more collaborative and...
From Social Worker to Family Mediator: Embracing a New Path to Help Families
After years of working as a social worker, I decided to transition into the field of family mediation. While I deeply valued my time as a social worker, supporting individuals and families in crisis, I found myself drawn to the more collaborative and...
Policy News
Planning and Infrastructure Reform Must Benefit Business
Responding to the unveiling of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the BCC, said: “It’s encouraging to see the Government has heeded our calls to tackle the problems of the UK’s worn-out infrastructure to fire...
US Tariffs Hit UK Business
Reacting to the introduction of 25 percent tariffs on exports of UK steel and aluminium to the United States, William Bain, BCC Head of Trade Policy, said: “This is a difficult day for trans-Atlantic trade and plunges businesses, in both the US and UK, into a new age...
Skills News
Kidderminster College Ask the Experts !
Danny Pardoe, Jack Draper and Skye Reynolds from Kidderminster College recently organised their first “Ask The Experts” session at Redhill School in Stourbridge. Suffice to say, Year 10 Business pupils certainly taught them as much as they taught the students! Danny,...
Engineering Apprenticeship Open Event – Redditch
Midland Group Training Services are holding an Open Event, see first-hand what a Level 3 Advanced Manufacturing Engineering apprenticeship can offer you. With a severe shortage of skilled, qualified engineers in the UK, there’s never been a better time to enter the...
Charity News
Dancing for a Cause: SJL Ball Raises Vital Funds for Acorns
The annual SJL Foundation Charity Ball, held at the Bank House Hotel in Bransford, Worcester, was a resounding success, raising an incredible £32,107 on the night. The event brought together over 170 guests from SJL Insurance’s extensive network of staff, clients,...
Leading property consultancy ‘grows its dough’ in support of Worcester hospice
A leading property consultancy has turned £40 into more than £1,500 as part of a charity challenge to support a Worcester hospice. Fisher German’s Worcester and Hereford offices have taken part in the St. Richard’s Hospice ‘Grow Your Dough’ challenge and have raised a...
Vacancies Still Falling As Wages Outpace Inflation
Responding 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: “This data suggests some loosening in the jobs market with vacancies staying below pre-pandemic levels...
BCC News
Vacancies Still Falling As Wages Outpace Inflation
Responding 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: “This data suggests some loosening in the jobs market with vacancies staying below pre-pandemic levels...
Worcestershire News
The Severn Valley Railway’s Christmas Fayre is Coming
For a spot of early Christmas shopping, the Severn Valley Railway has plenty to offer during the weekend of 26 and 27 October. The heritage line’s Engine House at Highley is holding its annual Christmas Gift Fayre, and dozens of suppliers will offer a wide range of...
Pioneering Railway Partnership Celebrates First Anniversary
The first official partnership between Network Rail and a heritage railway is celebrating 12 months of successes and achievements. Network Rail’s Central route and the Severn Valley Railway (SVR) signed its unique partnership just over a year ago, providing an...
Herefordshire News
Discover Parks Herefordshire Celebrating National Apprentice Week
Meet Polly Aubrey, our Finance Manager. and a valued member of our Discover Parks team in North Herefordshire – currently doing a Government Funded Level 7 Apprenticeship (equiv. to a Masters Degree) with the Charted Institute of Management Accountants. Polly...
Local MP Joins Herefordshire’s Discover Parks in Westminster, Lobbying Government for Local Advocacy
North Herefordshire MP Sir Bill Wiggin, (pictured with Hannah, Cerys & Glenn Jones, Discover Parks) states how vital businesses like theirs are in his constituency, “ supporting the local economy and creating employment in rural areas.” One of Herefordshire’s...
All Latest News
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...
Hundreds Attend Celebration of Arts and Culture in Worcester
Family, friends and members of the community celebrated the very best artwork from students in Worcester at the packed opening night of The Show 25. The Show is an end-of-academic-year exhibition of work by final-year students at the University of Worcester’s...
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