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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.
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Manufacturers don’t need another person pointing at the gaps. They need someone willing to help close them.
Throughout my career in both military and civilian leadership roles, I’ve seen that sustainable improvement rarely comes from reports, presentations, or workshops alone. It comes from understanding the people, processes, and equipment that make a business work,...
Latest Article
Manufacturers don’t need another person pointing at the gaps. They need someone willing to help close them.
Throughout my career in both military and civilian leadership roles, I’ve seen that sustainable improvement rarely comes from reports, presentations, or workshops alone. It comes from understanding the people, processes, and equipment that make a business work,...
Member News
Leading Midwives Inspire Worcester Students at Special University Event
Two of the UK’s best-known voices in maternity care visited the University of Worcester to inspire the next generation of midwives. Sheena Byrom OBE and author, broadcaster and practising NHS midwife Leah Hazard spoke to a packed audience of student midwives,...
New Early Years Leaders Network to Connect Practitioners
A new network for leaders in early years settings is launching to connect practitioners, let them share expertise and provide professional support. The network, which is free to join, is founded by a team from University of Worcester’s Institute of Education with...
Patron & Strategic News
OfS Chiefs Visit University of Worcester to Discuss Civic Mission and Innovation
The University of Worcester recently hosted senior officials from the Office for Students (OfS) for discussions about its civic mission and innovative partnerships. Ruth Hannant, Joint Chief Executive of the OfS, visited the University alongside Board member Andrew...
Clearing Gave me the Chance to Choose, says Worcester Graduate
The University of Worcester is braced for a potentially record-breaking Clearing Day, as pupils across the country prepare to receive their exam results. The University received more than 1,000 calls to its Clearing hotline last year, with students hoping to secure a...
Chamber News
Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) Q2 2026 Report Released
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the release of the Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) Report for Q2 2026, supported by Worcestershire County Council. Based on responses from 226 organisations, the survey provides a snapshot...
Winners Revealed at the Chamber Business Awards 2026
The Chamber Business Awards 2026 brought together the very best of business from across Herefordshire and Worcestershire last night for a spectacular evening of celebration, recognition and global-inspired entertainment. Sponsored by Herefordshire Council and...
Our Latest Member
Pioneering Plant Hire Solutions for Construction Organisations for Nearly 30 Years
For nearly three decades, WHC Hire Services has been quietly building something far more valuable than a plant hire fleet. A reputation. One that spans from local tradespeople and regional contractors right through to some of the UK’s largest national utility...
Pioneering Plant Hire Solutions for Construction Organisations for Nearly 30 Years
For nearly three decades, WHC Hire Services has been quietly building something far more valuable than a plant hire fleet. A reputation. One that spans from local tradespeople and regional contractors right through to some of the UK’s largest national utility...
Policy News
Firms Warn of Rising Costs from Iran Crisis
New research shows 80% of surveyed firms report an existing or expected impact from the Iran conflict, including energy price increases, shipping disruption and rises in raw material costs The manufacturing sector is seeing the biggest impact, with 68% of firms...
Steel Tariffs Risk Serious Damage To UK Manufacturers
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has warned that changes to UK steel quotas and tariffs could add millions of pounds to manufacturers’ costs. In a letter to the Business Secretary, Peter Kyle, the BCC said the proposed regime risks creating ‘real financial and...
Skills News
Worcestershire celebrates outstanding success at Annual Apprenticeship Awards
Worcestershire celebrated its commitment to developing local talent and skills at the 2025 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards on Thursday 13 November. Now in their eleventh year of the Apprenticeships Awards, the 2025 celebrations continued to recognise the amazing...
Worcestershire businesses urged to ‘power up’ productivity and plug skills gaps with Skills Bootcamps
Businesses across Worcestershire are being urged to take advantage of Skills Bootcamps – flexible training programmes designed to upskill staff, fill skills gaps, and support long-term growth. Funded by the Department for Education and managed locally by...
Charity News
Hillscourt Hotel & Conference Centre Announces Partnership with Primrose Hospice
Hillscourt Hotel & Conference Centre has announced Primrose Hospice as one of its chosen charity partners, beginning what promises to be a meaningful and long-lasting relationship with one of Worcestershire’s most valued local charities. Known for its...
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...
Mixed Picture for UK Exporters On US Tariffs
The US has introduced new tariffs to replace its current levies on UK imports which have expired today. For most UK companies there is no effective change, but there is welcome confirmation that the removal of US tariffs on whisky has taken effect Duties that must be...
BCC News
Mixed Picture for UK Exporters On US Tariffs
The US has introduced new tariffs to replace its current levies on UK imports which have expired today. For most UK companies there is no effective change, but there is welcome confirmation that the removal of US tariffs on whisky has taken effect Duties that must be...
Worcestershire News
Invitation for amateur musicians to be part of this year’s Elgar Festival
Organisers of the annual celebration of the life and music of Worcestershire’s most famous composer have announced an opportunity for musicians of all ages to be part a very special project. The Elgar Festival – which will take place from Saturday 23 May until Sunday...
Start Now: Make 2026 a really BIG year
As the busiest season of the year approaches, you might be looking at the next few weeks with mixed feelings — hoping for strong sales but wishing you’d had more time to put new ideas, promotions or partnerships in place. Or perhaps you’re already feeling the strain...
Herefordshire News
Local Expertise Meets New Connections: West Mercia Air Conditioning Joins the Chamber
West Mercia Air Conditioning is proud to be a member of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce. Having joined the Chamber in recent weeks, we are already enjoying being part of a thriving local business network. While we are relatively new to the...
The Great Herefordshire Spring Clean
Herefordshire Council has signed up to support this year’s Great British Spring Clean, taking place from 13 to 29 March. To recognise the county’s commitment to keeping our streets litter-free, they’re calling the event The Great Herefordshire Spring Clean. The...
All Latest News
Real estate specialist qualifies as solicitor after completing SQE
A real estate specialist at Worcestershire law firm mfg Solicitors has qualified as a solicitor after successfully completing the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), alongside working full time at the firm. Victoria Cairns-Terry, who joined the firm in 2024, has...
OfS Chiefs Visit University of Worcester to Discuss Civic Mission and Innovation
The University of Worcester recently hosted senior officials from the Office for Students (OfS) for discussions about its civic mission and innovative partnerships. Ruth Hannant, Joint Chief Executive of the OfS, visited the University alongside Board member Andrew...
SVR resident Stanier Mogul 13268 to return to the main line with Vintage Trains
The Severn Valley Railway and the Stanier Mogul Fund have announced that Stanier Mogul LMS No 13268 is to return to main line service later this year under a new arrangement with Vintage Trains, based at Tyseley in Birmingham. The arrangement will see the popular...
Clearing Gave me the Chance to Choose, says Worcester Graduate
The University of Worcester is braced for a potentially record-breaking Clearing Day, as pupils across the country prepare to receive their exam results. The University received more than 1,000 calls to its Clearing hotline last year, with students hoping to secure a...
£5 million campaign launched to transform children’s hospice care across the West Midlands
A £5 million fundraising appeal has been launched to transform children’s hospice care across the West Midlands as demand reaches record levels. The ambitious campaign from Acorns Children’s Hospice aims to help more families access expert care when and where they...
Major milestone reached as Full Business Case published for Hereford Bypass Phase One
Herefordshire Council has published the Full Business Case for Phase One of the Hereford Bypass, marking another important step towards delivering new transport infrastructure to improve journeys, strengthen the road network and support future growth across the...
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