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.
March Worcestershire Area Council Meeting Notes
Logistics Sector Update: The logistics sector has made a solid start to 2026, with steady volumes across key industries including food, horticulture, and manufacturing. This represents an improvement on the latter part of 2025, although overall sentiment remains...
Latest Article
March Worcestershire Area Council Meeting Notes
Logistics Sector Update: The logistics sector has made a solid start to 2026, with steady volumes across key industries including food, horticulture, and manufacturing. This represents an improvement on the latter part of 2025, although overall sentiment remains...
Member News
WEG wins Supplier of the Year at 2026 Pump Industry Awards
The Redditch company has been named Supplier of the Year at the 2026 Pump Industry Awards, marking its second consecutive win and reinforcing its leadership in energy‑efficient technologies, sustainability and innovation. Organised by the British Pump Manufacturers...
University of Worcester Shortlisted for National Employability Award
The University of Worcester has been shortlisted for University of the Year in the 2026 Graduate Futures Institute’s Academic Employability Awards. The shortlisting highlights Worcester’s whole‑institution model for employability, in which academic schools, a...
Patron & Strategic News
People urged to seek will-writing advice from trusted lawyers to avoid costly complications
A leading county law firm is urging people to seek professional advice to write a Will, ensuring they don’t leave behind significant complications and distress for loved ones. Jack Robinson, a senior associate in the Private Client team at Worcestershire mfg...
New Head of People at Hoople Group
Hoople Group is delighted to announce that Julie Bridgewater has been promoted to Head of People and joins the company’s Executive Management Team. Julie has over 20 years’ experience in HR, including investigation, complex casework, employee relations and developing...
Chamber News
Quarterly Economic Survey for Q2 is now live!
The Quarterly Economic Survey is among the largest business surveys in the UK, making it a key resource for the government to conduct case studies and access up-to-date statistics on businesses across the UK. The Survey consists of questions on several topics,...
Welcome new Members
Warm welcome to our newest Members! C5 Leadership Ltd – Leadership Development Consultancy, Executive (1-2-1) and Team Coach Country & Classic Properties Ltd – Estate Agents Specialising in Period & Character Properties Coventry, Warwickshire and...
Our Latest Member
Penguin Office Supplies Ltd Expands with a Record-Breaking Sales Year
Following a remarkable year of record-breaking sales, family business Penguin Office Supplies are expanding as part of their ongoing commitment to providing exceptional service to the Penguin customer family. The expansion has been fuelled by the redevelopment of...
Penguin Office Supplies Ltd Expands with a Record-Breaking Sales Year
Following a remarkable year of record-breaking sales, family business Penguin Office Supplies are expanding as part of their ongoing commitment to providing exceptional service to the Penguin customer family. The expansion has been fuelled by the redevelopment of...
Policy News
Devolution Plans must Deliver on Local Economic Growth
After the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill was introduced to Parliament today, Jonny Haseldine, Head of Corporate Governance and Business Environment Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Businesses will welcome further devolution to...
Trade Strategy Must Support Smaller Exporters
Fewer than one fifth (18%) of micro-exporters (fewer than 10 employees) increased export orders in Q2, with 29% reporting a decrease. By comparison, 29% of large exporters (more than 250 staff) increased their export orders with a fifth (20%) reporting a drop. More...
Skills News
BetaDen North Cleantech Programme Extension
Applications are now open for this popular Cleantech Bootcamp opportunity. This is an extension of their current programme that is already supporting six exciting cleantech founders. BetaDen North is looking for up to four more innovators who have a new product or...
First ever T-level students are a success!
A-level results day on 18th August 2022 is arguably much more anticipated than the previous two years, as exams were cancelled due to the pandemic and students were awarded grades based on teacher’s assessments. Therefore, this year’s results day marks a return to...
Charity News
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity receives £13,000 donation from Hereford’s KGD Industrial Services
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is flying high after a generous donation of £13,000, following the success of a lively charity dinner held by Hereford’s own, KGD Industrial Services. KGD Industrial Services, which specialises in designing and manufacturing process...
Vennture Appoints Safeguarding Expert to Drive Innovation Amid Sector Pressures
Ex-Police Safeguarding Leader Joins Vennture as New COO Herefordshire charity Vennture has appointed Jon Roberts as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective 1 August 2025. Jon, a father of four from North Herefordshire, brings 30 years of policing experience,...
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...
BCC News
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...
Worcestershire News
Turning Risks into Opportunities: How Insurance Can Support Business Growth in Herefordshire and Worcestershire
Running a business in Herefordshire and Worcestershire presents fantastic opportunities, but it also involves risks. Whether you’re a manufacturer in Malvern, a farm shop owner in Herefordshire, or a tech start-up in Worcester… growth often means taking on...
Severn Valley Railway is now part of a Local Geology App
The Severn Valley Railway is now part of a free-to-download smartphone app that aims to open up the hidden world that lies within the geology of the landscape. The Geopark Way app covers a walking trail that stretches 109 miles, from Shropshire to Gloucestershire,...
Herefordshire News
New Future of Farming Line-up Announced
Royal Three Counties Show, 14th-16th June 2024 Water quality, soil health, biodiversity, succession planning, the latest developments in agri-tech and the positive role cattle can play in improving the environment are some of the big conversations due to take place...
25th ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY CONTINUES …..
IMAGE – Another proud moment for Discover Parks in Herefordshire as nominators of this months charity donation, Richard & Jane Lodge, hand over the big cheque. (image left) Sue Strachan, Herefordshire Champion for Alzheimer’s Research UK receives it...
All Latest News
New Head of People at Hoople Group
Hoople Group is delighted to announce that Julie Bridgewater has been promoted to Head of People and joins the company’s Executive Management Team. Julie has over 20 years’ experience in HR, including investigation, complex casework, employee relations and developing...
Literature Expert to Give Insights on Messaging in Children’s Fiction
A free talk at The Hive will uncover the surprising moral and political messages woven into the children’s books we grew up loving. Professor Jean Webb, a University of Worcester expert in International Children’s Literature, will lead the session, titled “Not Just...
We’re recruiting a Chief Executive Officer — Maggs Day Centre (Worcester)
Maggs Day Centre is looking for an exceptional CEO to lead our Worcestershire charity into its next phase of impact, sustainability and strategic growth- Salary: £65,000 + benefits | Full time (flexible considered) We support people experiencing homelessness and...
![Added Value Enterprises [AVE] accelerates growth by 225% following sector expansion](https://hwchamber.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Darren-Iley-AVE-800x500.jpg)
Added Value Enterprises [AVE] accelerates growth by 225% following sector expansion
Procurement and consultancy specialists, Added Value Enterprises [AVE], have scaled growth by an impressive 225% over the last 12 months following its increased service offering and successful expansion into the hospitality and care sectors. Established in 2021, AVE...
Doors Open at Brand-New Ludlow Charity Warehouse
Shoppers were welcomed through the doors at St Michael’s Hospice’s new charity shop, Ludlow Home & Living. The ribbon was cut by shop manager, Giles Kember, and Ludlow’s Mayor, Councillor Di Lyle, before customers were invited inside to explore the transformed...
URGENT Briefing Webinar: What Does the Middle East Conflict Mean for Your Business?
The escalating conflict in the Middle East is already having significant consequences for global energy markets, supply chains, insurance costs and wider commercial risk environments. As the situation continues to evolve, UK businesses need timely, reliable...
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