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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.
Fourth generation Hollywood company celebrates 80th anniversary
2026 is an important milestone for Kilby Packaging, a manufacturer of packaging materials based in Birmingham. Sustainability at its heart Since its humble beginnings in 1946 when John Kilby started the business reclaiming and recycling boxes at a time of severe raw...
Latest Article
Fourth generation Hollywood company celebrates 80th anniversary
2026 is an important milestone for Kilby Packaging, a manufacturer of packaging materials based in Birmingham. Sustainability at its heart Since its humble beginnings in 1946 when John Kilby started the business reclaiming and recycling boxes at a time of severe raw...
Member News
Ten Years of Smarter Energy: Solar Select Marks a Decade in Business!
Managing Director Terry Hayward reflects on how much the sector has changed since the company was founded: “When I started Solar Select, the solar industry was very different. Today, with the introduction of multiple manufacturing brands such as Sigenergy, Duracell...
Neurodiversity in Business: What’s Shifting in 2026
As we move into 2026, the conversation around neurodiversity in business is changing. For years, workplace approaches have leaned heavily on labels and late-stage interventions – responding once someone is already struggling, burnt out, or disengaged....
Patron & Strategic News
Worcester Runner Goes for a Second World Record
A University of Worcester colleague is aiming to become the world’s fastest man to complete the London Marathon in full graduation attire. 50-year-old Chris Garratt, Deputy Chief Information Officer at the University, has had his attempt formally accepted by Guinness...
School Leaders Take Part in Climate Assembly
Teachers and educators from across Worcestershire got together to discuss the implications of the climate and ecological crisis in schools across the West Midlands. The Educators Climate Assembly, hosted by the University of Worcester, saw senior education leaders and...
Chamber News
Business Challenges: How the Chamber Supports your Business.
Following the recent budget, businesses may encounter new challenges alongside ongoing pressures from the cost of living and energy crises. The Chamber provides support to help businesses grow and thrive. By conducting local research on key issues, from infrastructure...
Welcome New Members
Our warmest welcome to our newest members: Always Outdoors Ltd/Life Changing Activities – They facilitate adventurous outdoor activities and team challenges for all abilities. Their activities include rock climbing, gorge walking, canoeing, raft building, team...
Our Latest Member
From Social Worker to Family Mediator: Embracing a New Path to Help Families
After years of working as a social worker, I decided to transition into the field of family mediation. While I deeply valued my time as a social worker, supporting individuals and families in crisis, I found myself drawn to the more collaborative and...
From Social Worker to Family Mediator: Embracing a New Path to Help Families
After years of working as a social worker, I decided to transition into the field of family mediation. While I deeply valued my time as a social worker, supporting individuals and families in crisis, I found myself drawn to the more collaborative and...
Policy News
UK-India Trade Agreement – A Big Deal For Business
Reacting to news of an agreement in principle for a free trade deal between the UK and India, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and India is a huge boost to our economies and a welcome lift for our exporters....
Stumbling Blocks Remain In Employment Rights Bill
Ahead of the committee stage of the Employment Rights Bill starting in the House of Lords, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “This is a critical stage in the process and the window of opportunity to get the right...
Skills News
Local Employers invited to share their views on Recruitment Incentives
Worcestershire employers are being made aware of a survey to help gather views on national recruitment incentives. To support employers during the COVID pandemic, the Government introduced a new incentive payment for businesses that hired a new apprentice. Gov are now...
The Impact Of Brexit On Companies Wishing To Employ EU Nationals
Brexit has had far reaching implications on the UK economy, in particular in relation to recruitment and employing European nationals who previously had the right to work in the UK. Whilst is still possible for European citizens to come and live and work in the UK,...
Charity News
Epic fundraising relay to raise money for Acorn’s Children’s Hospice
Professionals from the Worcester office of a leading property consultancy will be embarking on an epic fundraising relay to raise money for a children’s hospice with a shop in the city. Fisher German, which has an office at Global House, is marking its 25th...
Hewett Recruitment Announces New Charity Partnership with ONSIDE
Hewett Recruitment is pleased to announce a new charitable partnership with ONSIDE, a Worcester based charity, for the next two years. This collaboration reflects our commitment to supporting people in the local community who are experiencing disadvantage,...
Unemployment Up As Wages Still Outpace Inflation
Responding to the latest labour market data published by the ONS this morning, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “There is little comfort in this data for businesses or the government. Employers are being squeezed...
BCC News
Unemployment Up As Wages Still Outpace Inflation
Responding to the latest labour market data published by the ONS this morning, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “There is little comfort in this data for businesses or the government. Employers are being squeezed...
Worcestershire News
Severn Valley Railway is Finalist in Three Categories for Visit Worcestershire Awards
Staff and volunteers at the Severn Valley Railway have a lot to smile about right now, as the leading heritage line has been selected as a finalist in three separate categories for the 2024/2025 Visit Worcestershire Awards. The railway is in the running to scoop the...
It’s a Super Saturday at the Severn Valley Railway
On the final day of August, the Severn Valley Railway is putting on a mini enthusiast event to mark the fact that has a particularly superb line-up of locomotives in service. On Saturday 31 August, two visiting steam locomotives, 45596 ‘Bahamas’ and 2999 ‘Lady of...
Herefordshire News
Richard Miller – “A Godsend to the people of Herefordshire”
One of the founding members of St Michael’s Hospice has been described as “a Godsend to the people of Herefordshire” following his death, aged 85. Dr Richard Miller saw his dream of bringing hospice care to Herefordshire realised in 1984 when St Michael’s in...
Hereford Production Company Rural Studios Awarded Funding as Part of BBC’s Small Indie Fund
Launched in 2020, the highly contested Small Indie Fund supports the growth of small independent production companies across the UK and will help Rural Studios to scale up its TV ambitions. Rural Studios currently has a returning show on BBC4, “The Read”, recently...
All Latest News
Fully Funded Suicide Prevention Training for Those Supporting Veterans
PAPYRUS has been awarded funding by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund to provide fully funded suicide prevention training for those working with or supporting veterans. The aim is to equip participants with skills to identify warning signs, intervene effectively, and...
Empowering Practitioners to Better Support Care Leavers
We have one more Training for Practitioners working with Care Leavers and their families in the community or at work! Wed 17th Dec – Caring for Care Leavers Training – 09.30-2.30pm – see enclosed leaflet for more...
Supporting Care Leavers and Families: Join Our December Zoom Sessions
We have 2 Peer Support Zoom Sessions for Care Leavers and their families of all ages in Dec! This Wed 10th – New Horizons – 1.30-3pm – See enclosed leaflet for more info. Monday 15th – Information on Accessing Records – 10 am -12 midday...
Accountants welcome well-known Worcestershire face as NED
Blackthorns Chartered Accountants is delighted to announce a significant milestone in the firm’s continued growth and evolution, with David Price re-establishing a long standing relationship with the leadership team and coming on board as a Non-Executive Director....
‘Phenomenal’ – Law firm raises more than £118,000 for Acorns vital care
A phenomenal £118,136 has been raised for Acorns Children’s Hospice by a local law firm following ‘an incredible’ three-year partnership with the charity. Award-winning Talbots Law demonstrated the power of the partnership by supporting key events such as Bubble Rush,...
JH LINES POWERING UP PRODUCTION WITH NEW MACHINERY
JH Lines is pleased to announce the addition of 3 new machines enhancing our capabilities to the packaging and point of sale industries. Earlier this year we added a Trotec Laser Q400 with a work area up to 1300 x 900 mm and laser power of up to 120 watts, which can...
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