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.
Emily Newman Shortlisted for Rising Star Award at Financial Reporter Broker’s Choice Awards
Jane Newman Financial Planning (JNFP) is delighted to announce that Emily Newman has been shortlisted as a finalist for the Rising Star Award at this year’s Financial Reporter Broker’s Choice Awards. Emily joined JNFP in 2018 and has since built a strong reputation...
Latest Article
Emily Newman Shortlisted for Rising Star Award at Financial Reporter Broker’s Choice Awards
Jane Newman Financial Planning (JNFP) is delighted to announce that Emily Newman has been shortlisted as a finalist for the Rising Star Award at this year’s Financial Reporter Broker’s Choice Awards. Emily joined JNFP in 2018 and has since built a strong reputation...
Member News
Fully Local Training Route Makes Teaching Possible for Career Changers in Herefordshire
For the first time ever, aspiring primary teachers in Herefordshire will be able to complete their teacher training with the University of Worcester without leaving the county. It’s thanks to an expanded partnership between the University and the Diocese of Hereford...
OrchardFest Returns – Join Orchard Trust For Their Accessible Music Festival on 15th August 2026
Orchard Trust is excited to share some sunny news: OrchardFest is returning on 15th August 2026! About the Festival OrchardFest 2026 is Orchard Trust’s popular accessible music festival, designed especially for people with learning disabilities, where everyone is...
Patron & Strategic News
The Hive to Host Exclusive First Look at New Historical Novel
The life and legacy of the Worcestershire surgeon who revolutionised medical sterilisation through the use of iodine is being brought to life in a new historical novel, with a special soft-launch event at The Hive. Born in 1860, Lionel Stretton served as a surgeon in...
Family Fun and Activities at The Hive to Mark Earth Day
From ‘flying’ like a bird thanks to the magic of virtual reality to learning about the plastic polluting our oceans, families can enjoy a host of free interactive activities at The Hive next week in celebration of Earth Day. Budding environmentalists can explore a...
Chamber News
Worcester to Welcome England Rugby Star at Free Event
A former England Rugby star is set to speak at a local networking event hosted by the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce. Simon Shaw, ex-England international and Wasps Rugby legend, is set to make an appearance at the Herefordshire &...
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce work with Crosby Associates Media to relaunch Business Direction Magazine
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce are delighted to announce their new partnership with Crosby Media Associates. The Chamber and Crosby Media will collaborate closely to ensure a seamless transition toward the end of 2025, with October/November 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
Recruitment Static as Firms Assess NI Impact
Recruitment remains static with 55% of firms attempting to hire staff in the last three months (compared with 54% in Q1) Hiring remains challenging despite some respite, with 73% of firms reporting difficulties in Q2 (76% in Q1) Transport and logistics (80%) and...
Bromsgrove District Local Plan – Draft Development Strategy Consultation 30th June – 22nd September
Regulation 18 of the Town and Country (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 Bromsgrove District Council is in the process of reviewing and replacing the Bromsgrove District Plan (adopted January 2017), which will set out where new housing, employment and other...
Skills News
Hazelton Mountford’s Apprenticeship Day 2022
The senior management team at Hazelton Mountford are embracing new methods to recruit exceptional team members, including an ‘Apprenticeship Day’ held at the Worcester city centre HQ. In addition to placing their Chartered Insurance Apprenticeship role on the...
The Chamber to help deliver local skills improvement plan
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber to deliver local skills improvement plan for Worcestershire, and in partnership with Shropshire Chamber, for the Marches. Reacting to the news that Accredited Chambers of Commerce will be leading 32 of the 40 local skills...
Charity News
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity Celebrated as an Outstanding Workplace for Third Time
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is proud to announce that it has once again been recognised with the Outstanding Workplace Award by leading management consultancy People Insight, following an exceptional 93% employee engagement score in its latest annual Staff Survey....
KEMP Hospice Santa Fun Run Returns with a New Festive Home in Wolverley
The countdown to Christmas is on, and what better way to get into the festive spirit than by taking part in the jolliest jog of the year: the return of KEMP Hospice’s much-loved Santa Fun Run, launching this year from a brand-new location. On Sunday 7th December 2025,...
Energy Costs Continue to Spark Business Concern
Over a quarter of businesses (27%) say they are currently finding it difficult to pay their energy bills, according to new research from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). The BCC survey of over 600 firms shows energy costs are particularly challenging for...
BCC News
Energy Costs Continue to Spark Business Concern
Over a quarter of businesses (27%) say they are currently finding it difficult to pay their energy bills, according to new research from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). The BCC survey of over 600 firms shows energy costs are particularly challenging for...
Worcestershire News
Severn Valley Railway ‘whistle off’ will Mark the Start of Railway 200
On New Year’s Day, the Severn Valley Railway will join other UK heritage lines in a nationwide ‘whistle off’ to mark the start of Railway 200. Across the country, heritage locomotives will sound their whistles at 12 noon on 1 January 2025. This evocative rekindling of...
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...
Herefordshire News
JUNE CHARITY EVENT WILL BRING HAWAIIAN COLOUR TO ‘LEOMINSTER-by-the-SEA’.
Ledbury-based high tech coatings application company Cleftbridge Limited is sponsoring the third annual Colour Run around Leominster, with a theme for 2024 of ‘Hawaiian Beach’. The event is organised by ECHO, an independent Herefordshire-based charity that organizes...
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...
All Latest News
Students Raise Over £1,800 for Worcestershire Charities in 24-Hour CPR Marathon
Student Paramedics at the University of Worcester have successfully completed their 24-hour CPR Marathon, raising more than £1,800 for two local lifesaving charities. Running from 9am on March 16 until 9am the following morning, the endurance event saw staff, students...
BCC Economic Forecast: Global Turmoil to Hit Growth and Push Up Inflation
The latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) economic forecast suggests slow growth in 2026, higher inflation due to the Middle East crisis, and rising unemployment as the labour market softens. The BCC forecast is the first economic assessment by a business...
Half of SMEs Using AI -With Limited Headcount Impact So Far
More than half of UK firms (54%) are now actively using AI, according to new research by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in partnership with Atos, showing a major jump in tech adoption. Previous BCC research found that 35% of firms were using AI in 2025, up...
Rates Held As Inflation Risks Rise
Reacting to the latest interest rate decision, by the Bank of England, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The geopolitical kaleidoscope has been dramatically shaken since the Bank last met to set the interest rate. Today’s...
Dr Ellie Chowns MP Attends Herefordshire Area Council Meeting
Dr Ellie Chowns, MP for North Herefordshire recently attended the Chamber’s Herefordshire Area Council meeting held at NMITE’s facility on Skylon Park, Rotherwas. Ellie Chowns began by outlining current priorities within the constituency, the impact of international...
Chamber Business Awards 2026 – Finalists Announced
We are delighted to announce the outstanding businesses and organisations shortlisted as finalists for the Chamber Business Awards 2026. Sponsored by Herefordshire Council and Worcestershire County Council, the Awards celebrate firms across the two counties and are a...
Want to submit a story?
If you would like to read our guide to submitting a story click here