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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.
Custom GPTs: The Next Leap in Business Productivity
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic idea – it’s quietly transforming how we work. One of the most promising developments is the rise of custom GPTs: AI assistants that can be tailored to an organisation’s own data, language, and way of working....
Latest Article
Custom GPTs: The Next Leap in Business Productivity
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic idea – it’s quietly transforming how we work. One of the most promising developments is the rise of custom GPTs: AI assistants that can be tailored to an organisation’s own data, language, and way of working....
Member News
Something Special is Happening in Worcester: Bespoke Advice Wins Triple National Honours and Reconfirms Chartered and B Corp Status
Worcester-based chartered financial planning firm and certified BCorp, Bespoke Advice Ltd, is celebrating a defining moment in its journey after winning three prestigious national awards in just one week: • Young Financial Planning Team of the Year – Young Financial...
WLZ Tutors Brings Education and Art Together as One of the Main Sponsors of Worcester Paint Festival 2025
Local education specialists WLZ Tutors are celebrating their role as one of the main sponsors of the Worcester Paint Festival (WPF) 2025, an annual event that transforms Worcester into a vibrant open-air gallery. Known for delivering personalised, inclusive tutoring...
Patron & Strategic News
Skills Minister Impressed at Worcester
The Minister for Skills has visited the University of Worcester, where she met the healthcare, legal, and sports science workers of the future and took questions from an audience of trainee teachers. Baroness Jacqui Smith spoke to PGCE students about her experiences...
Employers achieve Silver Award recognition for commitment to Defence personnel
Over 100 guests gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to celebrate thirty-six regional employers who have gained a prestigious award presented to them on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. Hosted by the West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets...
Chamber News
Annual General Meeting 2024
Details of AGM: Date – 20th December 2024 Time – 09:30 to 10:00 Location – Wye Suite Severn House Resolutions 1. To receive and adopt the Company’s annual accounts for the financial year ended 31 March 2024 together with the directors’...
HR Professionals Conference at Sixways Stadium Draws an Impressive Crowd
On Thursday 14th November 2024, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Hewett Recruitment, hosted the annual HR Conference at Sixways Stadium, Worcester. The event saw an impressive footfall of 130. Those who attended heard from 5...
Our Latest Member
Financial Advice Centre Celebrates 25 Years
Worcester, 4th October 2024 – Financial Advice Centre Limited (FAC), Worcestershire’s leading Independent Financial Adviser and Mortgage Broker firm, is celebrating 25 years of success with a series of planned events and strong growth plans for the future....
Financial Advice Centre Celebrates 25 Years
Worcester, 4th October 2024 – Financial Advice Centre Limited (FAC), Worcestershire’s leading Independent Financial Adviser and Mortgage Broker firm, is celebrating 25 years of success with a series of planned events and strong growth plans for the future....
Policy News
Tariffs Loom Large As Growth Forecasts Cut
Responding to the latest IMF forecasts for the UK and Global economies, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The downgrades for both the UK and global economy should come as no surprise to anyone. Businesses are under no...
Increased Export Volatility Ahead Of Tariffs
Only a fifth (21%) of SME exporters saw increased overseas sales in Q1 of 2025 More than a quarter (27%) said their exports had declined with over half (53%) seeing no change Advanced orders fared no better, as 20% saw these rise while 28% reported a decline The Trade...
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
Courtyard install aquarium for the summer
The Courtyard is delighted to announce a temporary aquarium will be installed in its Gallery for families to visit for free this summer. To celebrate a year of animal themed productions (The Jungle Book and Animal Farm), The Courtyard is turning its top floor gallery...
The Courtyard makes the finals of Visit England Awards for Excellence 2025
The Courtyard is thrilled to announce it is a finalist in the 2025 Visit England Awards for Excellence in the ‘Accessible and Inclusive Tourism’ category. In February, Head of Sales and Marketing Jessica Prosser and Head of Operations Phillip Pearcy attended the Visit...
Fragile Growth as Business Confidence Struggles
Responding to the latest GDP data, published by the ONS this morning, David Bharier, Head of Research at the BCC, said: “Today’s GDP figures, showing growth of 0.5% in the three months to May, but a fall of 0.1% in the month, reinforce the view that UK growth remains...
BCC News
Fragile Growth as Business Confidence Struggles
Responding to the latest GDP data, published by the ONS this morning, David Bharier, Head of Research at the BCC, said: “Today’s GDP figures, showing growth of 0.5% in the three months to May, but a fall of 0.1% in the month, reinforce the view that UK growth remains...
Worcestershire News
The SVR’s Autumn Diesel Bash goes down well
The Severn Valley Railway has plenty of reasons to be cheerful, after the smooth running and strong attendance at its Autumn Diesel Bash, which took place between 3 and 6 October. In what was billed as ‘an almighty celebration of heritage diesels’, highlights included...
Half-term Adventure Awaits at the Severn Valley Railway
Families can be sure of a warm welcome and an exciting day out at the Severn Valley Railway during the autumn half-term break. The heritage line is open for nine consecutive days of fun, from Saturday 26 October to Sunday 3 November. Hop on board a heritage diesel or...
Herefordshire News
£1million on offer as Marches Energy Grant is Extended to Meet Demand
More than £1million is available to businesses across the Marches to improve energy efficiency and drive down carbon emissions thanks to the extension of a hugely successful funding programme. The Marches Energy Grant, in affiliation with the pilot Business Energy...
Why International Women’s Day is Inspiring Inclusion Across Herefordshire
L-R: Sharon Smith (Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce), Chamber member Charlotte Webb (Castle Green Financial Planning, Associate Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management) and Julz Watson (Herefordshire Police) support the theme of...
All Latest News
Employers achieve Silver Award recognition for commitment to Defence personnel
Over 100 guests gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to celebrate thirty-six regional employers who have gained a prestigious award presented to them on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. Hosted by the West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets...
University Holds Special Activities for its Talented Student Athletes
As the University of Worcester welcomes thousands of students back to campus for the new academic year, the University has given a special welcome to its elite and talented student athletes – and potential sporting stars of the future. Ahead of the new term, the...
ATWELL TO ATTEND INTERLIFT AS CONTENDER FOR TWO AWARDS
Atwell International Ltd are delighted to announce they will be exhibiting at Interlift 2025 in Nurnberg, Germany from the 14th to 17th October and are a contender for two prestigious awards. The new VG AiO Speed Watcher will be showcased on their stand with live...
Sticky Inflation Keeps Rates on Hold
Responding to the latest interest rate decision by the Bank of England, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s decision to hold interest rates at 4% was widely expected, especially after yesterday’s figures confirmed...
OCM achieves successful external audit for ISO 9001, ISO 14001 & ISO 27001
OCM is pleased to announce the successful completion of its September 2025 external audit for ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management) and ISO 27001 (information security management), conducted by Approachable. This milestone highlights...
Baton of Hope Tour to Visit Hereford on 2nd October – Shining a Light on Suicide Prevention
The UK’s biggest suicide prevention initiative, the Baton of Hope Tour, will arrive in Hereford on Wednesday 2nd October, bringing with it a powerful message of hope, support and community action. The Baton of Hope, a specially designed baton symbolising the...
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