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.
University Leader Welcomes Return of European Study Scheme
The University of Worcester’s Vice Chancellor has welcomed the UK’s decision to rejoin the Erasmus student exchange scheme from 2027, ending a six-year absence. The move will give UK students the chance to study, train, or volunteer across Europe once again. Professor...
Latest Article
University Leader Welcomes Return of European Study Scheme
The University of Worcester’s Vice Chancellor has welcomed the UK’s decision to rejoin the Erasmus student exchange scheme from 2027, ending a six-year absence. The move will give UK students the chance to study, train, or volunteer across Europe once again. Professor...
Member News
Business relief after Government U-turns on day-one unfair dismissal rights
Employment lawyers have reacted positively to the Government’s U-turn on day-one unfair dismissal rights – but urged businesses to seek expert guidance to prepare for wide-ranging workplace reforms. Labour had made a controversial manifesto commitment to offer all...
University of Worcester Marks 20 Years of Pioneering Education and Advocacy to End Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence
The University of Worcester has marked two decades of ground breaking work in tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence through education, research, and advocacy. The milestone event brought together alumni of the University’s pioneering Master’s programme,...
Patron & Strategic News
Grandparents given expert advice to ensure contact with grandchildren after marriage breakdowns
Grandparents worried about the lack of contact with their grandchildren following marriage breakdowns are being given legal advice to help repair relationships. Leading Worcestershire law firm mfg Solicitors has warned that grandparents do not have an automatic legal...
UK Cyber Resilience Bill 2025: Preparing for a New Era of Accountability
The UK Cyber Resilience Bill 2025 took its first reading in Parliament in November, marking one of the most significant shifts in UK cyber regulation for years. Although still progressing, the direction is clear: organisations will soon face tougher expectations...
Chamber News
Welcome New Members
Circet Wireless Limited – Circet Ireland & UK are leading providers to the Telecommunications, Transport Infrastructure and Power Sectors in Ireland and the UK. Design in the Shires – Design in the Shires are an award winning website design &...
Enter your Business in the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2025!
Entries for the 2025 business awards are now open! Submitting your business for an award should take no more than 10 minutes and you can enter your business for a maximum of 3 categories. The awards are set to be hosted on the 12th June 2025 at the Worcester Arena,...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members
Our warmest welcome to our newest members: Acquis Media Ltd – Production and Support Services Brown & Brown – Brown & Brown brokers provide a personal, local and specialised service backed by the market strength and capabilities of a leading global...
Welcome New Members
Our warmest welcome to our newest members: Acquis Media Ltd – Production and Support Services Brown & Brown – Brown & Brown brokers provide a personal, local and specialised service backed by the market strength and capabilities of a leading global...
Policy 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,...
Procurement Act Must Quickly Deliver for SMEs
Only 20% of direct public sector procurement spend was with SMEs in 2024 – a similar figure to 2023 (19%) £45.4 billion was spent by Government directly with SMEs last year, up from £42.4 billion in 2023 Median spend per SME remained at £31,000 in 2024 Local...
Skills News
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...
The secret to staff retention in hospitality
If you’re finding the cost of employee turnover unsustainable – you’re not alone. Hospitality employers across the country are struggling with the cost of recruitment as the industry faces a staffing drought coupled with unwanted levels of staff turnover. In fact,...
Charity News
St Michael’s Hospice Unveils Refreshed Leominster Charity Shop
St Michael’s Hospice is pleased to announce the reopening of its newly transformed Home & Living charity shop in Leominster, following a comprehensive refurbishment aimed at enhancing the shopping experience for the local community. Located at Station Yard, the...
Sun shines on hundreds of fundraisers as RUN Hereford City Edition hits town
More than 750 runners took a step towards a little bit of history during the first-ever city edition of RUN Hereford. The annual event, which is one of Herefordshire’s leading running days, is expected to raise almost £28,000 for Bartestree-based St Michael’s Hospice,...
SMEs Key To Defence Industrial Strategy
Responding to the announcement of the Defence Industrial Strategy, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “Raising defence investment is not only vital for the UK’s national security in an age of higher geopolitical risk but also to boost growth, jobs, exports and...
BCC News
SMEs Key To Defence Industrial Strategy
Responding to the announcement of the Defence Industrial Strategy, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “Raising defence investment is not only vital for the UK’s national security in an age of higher geopolitical risk but also to boost growth, jobs, exports and...
Worcestershire News
Herefordshire and Worcestershire’s Biggest Business Exhibition Draws a Record Crowd
On Thursday 10th October 2024, the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Hewett Recruitment, hosted their annual Business Expo at the University of Worcester Arena. This was the Chamber’s first Business Expo at the...
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...
Herefordshire News
Celebrating Excellence: Herefordshire Care Homes Shine as Finalists at Care Home Awards 2024
Rotherwood Healthcare is thrilled to announce that two distinguished care homes in Herefordshire, Lynhales Hall, and Kington Court, have been named finalists in multiple categories at the prestigious Care Home Awards. These nominations underscore their unwavering...
£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...
All Latest News
Bankside College – Employer Open Event in Partnerships with EBC Group
Visit our Open Event to find out how you can support young adults with autism by offering work experience opportunities. Bankside College is a specialist provision offering high-quality further education for young adults aged 16-25 who are autistic and have...
Local Partner Celebrates 20 Years with Ballards LLP — Building a National Success Story In Worcestershire
Worcestershire based accountancy firm Ballards LLP is celebrating Partner Matthew Watson’s 20th anniversary with the business, two decades that have seen its specialist medical accounting service grow from a handful of local GP clients to a national leader. When...
College Launches Unique Partner Programme for Business
Halesowen College is delighted to announce the launch of its PowerPartner Programme, an innovative initiative designed to strengthen the collaboration between education and industry. This exciting programme provides a unique platform for businesses and organisations...
Harriers Foundation donate kit to Aid through Football
Harriers Foundation has joined clubs across the country in donating kit to The RAF FA’s Aid through Football initiative. The RAF Football Association (RAF FA) Taking Football to Africa and Beyond Charitable Appeal, Aid through Football sees donated football kit...
Worcester Criminologist Investigates Hate Crime Motivations in New Book Chapter
What goes through the mind of someone who is about to attack a religious space? What led them there, and how can we stop it? Those are just some of the questions an Islamophobia expert from Worcester takes on in his contribution to a new book analysing the mindset of...
Disruption Doesn’t Book a Slot in Your Diary: How to Communicate with Staff When It Strikes
In my blog, I explore practical ways to lead your team through disruption, build trust, reduce uncertainty, and guide your people with clear, confident communication. If the last year has taught us anything, it’s that disruption never shows up at a good time. And when...
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