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.

Ballards LLP announces leadership transition for its Next-Gen Board
Pictured L-R: Megan Healey Audit & Accounts Manager, Ballards LLP and Gina Gardner Associate Director, Ballards LLP. Worcester-based professional services firm Ballards LLP is pleased to announce a leadership transition within its pioneering Next-Gen Board...
Latest Article
Ballards LLP announces leadership transition for its Next-Gen Board
Pictured L-R: Megan Healey Audit & Accounts Manager, Ballards LLP and Gina Gardner Associate Director, Ballards LLP. Worcester-based professional services firm Ballards LLP is pleased to announce a leadership transition within its pioneering Next-Gen Board...
Member News
Why IT Service Management is Important For Your Business
Why are Managed IT Services important? After all, you’re a small to medium-sized business with fairly modest tech requirements. In a competitive environment where every penny of margin matters, can you really afford to take on another expense? When it comes to your IT...
New garden set to open at Primrose Hospice
Primrose Hospice and F.B. & Sons Lawns & Landscapes invite you to the official opening of St Godwald’s Retreat, a new reflective garden created by F.B. & Sons Lawns & Landscapes for Primrose Hospice. Join Primrose on Sunday, 12th October, from 2–4pm at...
Patron & Strategic News
You’ll Miss the Mess: What No One Tells You About Uni Goodbyes
If you’re preparing to watch your loved one head off to university this autumn, congratulations! It’s a time for celebration, but it’s absolutely normal to feel anxious about this big adjustment for you and your young person. Marianne Tay is a Principal Lecturer at...
Acorn’s Children’s Hospice will benefit from successful charity challenge
Professionals from the Worcester office of a leading property consultancy have helped raise more than £25,000 for charity as part of an epic fundraising relay – with 11 weeks of the challenge still to go. Fisher German is marking its 25th anniversary with its ‘Big25’...
Chamber News
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Announce Relaunch of 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...
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Announces NEW Strategic Digital Training Partnership with Make Strides
Empowering Local Businesses with ‘Leadership Thinking’. Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Make Strides, a digital-first learning and development company specialising in both early-career and...
Our Latest Member
Meet OCM – Your local experts in sustainable IT asset management
As a proud new member of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, OCM is excited to introduce their team to fellow businesses across the region. Based in Pershore, Jennine, Richard and co have been delivering secure, sustainable and reliable IT...

Meet OCM – Your local experts in sustainable IT asset management
As a proud new member of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, OCM is excited to introduce their team to fellow businesses across the region. Based in Pershore, Jennine, Richard and co have been delivering secure, sustainable and reliable IT...
Policy News
Small Business Plan ‘Important Step Forward’
Responding to the launch of the Government’s Small Business Plan, Alex Veitch, Director of Policy at the BCC, said: “This is a much-needed step forward in recognition and support for SMEs, which are the backbone of the UK economy. Late payments, access to finance and...
Government Must Harness Retail Investor Optimism
Over half of retail investors (53%) are optimistic about their investments over the next twelve months (compared to 42% in May) 40% of investors expect to increase the amount of money they invest over the next twelve months Younger investors are most confident, with...
Skills News
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...
Initial Wave of Innovators Join Business Support Programme with Worcestershire’s First AI Testbed Facilities
A bold new chapter in Worcestershire’s innovation landscape begins as 15 early-stage technology businesses commence BetaDen’s newly opened incubator programme at the Old Court in Kidderminster. BetaDen is Worcestershire’s provider of support programmes for innovative...
Charity News
Fuel the Journey, Power the Care: St Michael’s Hospice to launch four-day fundraising appeal to support nursing teams on the road
St Michael’s Hospice is launching a four-day fundraising campaign to support its nursing teams out on the road. ‘Fuel the Journey, Power the Care’ begins this Friday (8th) with the aim of raising £43,250 towards fuelling, leasing and insuring the fleet of Hospice at...
Local Charity Expands with the Opening of “Ledbury Two” – A New Chapter in Support for Children and Adults with Neurological Disorders
Located in the heart of Ledbury, Ledbury Two represents a significant expansion for Megan Baker House (MBH), allowing the organisation to reach more families and meet increasing demand for its specialised programmes. The new facility will offer tailored support for...

Office Return Varies Across Sectors
41% of businesses have required staff to spend more time working on site over the past year One in ten (9%) relevant firms say employees have quit because of the requirement to return to onsite working Nearly half of surveyed businesses (48%) expect all working days...
BCC News
Office Return Varies Across Sectors
41% of businesses have required staff to spend more time working on site over the past year One in ten (9%) relevant firms say employees have quit because of the requirement to return to onsite working Nearly half of surveyed businesses (48%) expect all working days...
Worcestershire News
Weekend rolls into the Severn Valley Railway for a must-see LEGO event
LEGO fans are in for a treat as Brick Weekend arrives at the Severn Valley Railway’s Engine House Visitor Centre for two fun-filled days on Saturday and Sunday 2 and 3 August. Hosted in partnership with the LEGO UK Railway (LUKR) club, this special event will showcase...
Severn Valley Railway wins UK Enterprise award
The Severn Valley Railway has been named as Leading Railway Enthusiast Site in the 2025 SME UK Enterprise Awards. Awards coordinator Laura O’Carroll said: ‘SME News prides itself on the validity of its awards and winners. The awards are given solely on merit and are...
Herefordshire News
Winners of the Herefordshire Tourism Awards 2024 have been Announced
Industry experts selected the county’s winning tourism businesses in our very first Visit Herefordshire Tourism Awards. We’re delighted to congratulate our winners and are super excited that they will be put forward to the VisitEngland Awards of Excellence...
Hereford River Carnival – how to get involved
• Hereford River Carnival is holding an open meeting to encourage people to get involved in the 2025 event. The drop-in open meeting will be held upstairs at De Koffie Pot between 1pm-5pm on Saturday 8th February. This will be a chance to meet the team, find out more...
All Latest News
The Quarterly Economic Survey for Q3 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,...
Purple Pathways : Brighter Futures for Children – West Mercia Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre (WMRSASC)
Purple Pathways: Brighter Futures for Children WMRSASC has been accepted into the UK’s biggest matched giving campaign – the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2025. We’re raising vital funds for our Purple Pathways project, which provides specialist support to children and...
Herefordshire’s Sustainable Building Future
Herefordshire stands at the forefront of sustainable construction, with a rich heritage of environmental leadership and ambitious plans for a greener future. As a local business, Merchant701 plays a crucial role in supporting the county’s sustainability journey...
Hereford Military History Festival Honours Herefordshire History with Network of Local Partners and Community Support
HEREFORD, 19th August 2025 — The inaugural Hereford Military History Festival 2025 is a highly ambitious new addition to the UK’s cultural calendar, which aims to support the city’s local community, celebrate its culture and heritage, and honour its rich military...
UK Exports To US Hit 3-Year Low
Commenting on the latest ONS trade data, BCC Head of Trade Policy, William Bain, said: “Tariff effects are clearly being felt by companies exporting to the US. Total goods exports across the Atlantic for Q2 2025 were 13.5% lower than a year ago. “But the UK’s...
Platform81 Welcome Five New Starters Across PPC, Web Development, and Business Development
Platform81 has recently welcomed five new team members across key departments, supporting the ongoing growth of the business. These appointments come at a time of significant expansion, driven by new client wins and increasing demand across the agency’s core service...
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