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.
Welcome New Members September
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout September. St Richard’s Hospice Foundation – Worcestershire charity providing palliative care. Spartan Fire Protection – Fire safety systems and compliance specialists. First Enterprise – Inclusive finance and...
Latest Article
Welcome New Members September
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout September. St Richard’s Hospice Foundation – Worcestershire charity providing palliative care. Spartan Fire Protection – Fire safety systems and compliance specialists. First Enterprise – Inclusive finance and...
Member News
Vennture Appoints Safeguarding Expert to Drive Innovation Amid Sector Pressures
Ex-Police Safeguarding Leader Joins Vennture as New COO Herefordshire charity Vennture has appointed Jon Roberts as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective 1 August 2025. Jon, a father of four from North Herefordshire, brings 30 years of policing experience,...
DRPG’s Dale Parmenter awarded Honorary University Fellowship
Dale Parmenter, CEO and Founder of creative communications group DRPG, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Worcester, and admitted to the University’s College of Fellows. The Fellowship recognises his contribution to responsible business...
Patron & Strategic News
Activities to Show Public How to Help at-Risk Bird Species
A series of free activities taking place in the City next month will raise awareness of a bird species at risk and show the public what they can do to help. Talks and walks have been organised by the Worcester Swift Recovery Group as part of its summer activities to...
University Academic Helps Brings Ukrainian Shakespeare Play to Stage
A University of Worcester academic has helped bring to the stage the world premiere of a Ukrainian play based on Shakespeare’s Othello, that explores aspects of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Professor of Shakespeare Studies, Nicoleta Cinpoeş, in her role as...
Chamber News
Welcome new Members!
The warmest welcome to our newest Members: 2wish – 2wish provides immediate and ongoing bereavement support for families, individuals and professionals affected by the sudden and traumatic death of a child or young adult. Agri Incineration Systems Limited...
BTOM (Border Target Operating Model)
Check what you need to do to be compliant and avoid disruption to your business and supply chain From 00:01 30 April 2024 traders must: Ensure goods arrive through an appropriately designated Border Control Post (BCP) or Control Point (CP) for your commodity type...
Our Latest Member
New Member – Coacto – Your Local Salesforce Solutions Partner
Coacto, a distinguished Salesforce implementation consultancy, recently joined the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, further solidifying its commitment to fostering business growth and collaboration in the region. Specialising in the design and...
New Member – Coacto – Your Local Salesforce Solutions Partner
Coacto, a distinguished Salesforce implementation consultancy, recently joined the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, further solidifying its commitment to fostering business growth and collaboration in the region. Specialising in the design and...
Policy News
SME Divide Revealed on Environmental Targets
Ahead of COP 29, the UN Climate Change Conference in Azerbaijan, British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) research has found a clear divide among SMEs on environmental targets. The survey, by the BCC’s award-winning Insights Unit, shows around half of firms with more...
Autumn Budget 2024 – Strategic Insights for Farmers Facing New Inheritance Tax Caps
The 2024 Autumn Budget raised employers’ national insurance, capital gains tax and stamp duty on second homes, but a key concern for farmers is the new cap on agricultural relief from inheritance tax (IHT). In what is a major blow for the farming community, Chancellor...
Skills News
DfE webinars and workshops: hosting industry placements in different roles and industries
Over the next few months, the Department for Education and SDN are hosting a series of webinars looking at T Level industry placements in different roles applicable in a wide number of industries. Each session will give you chance to hear from employers who are...
Support webinar to help businesses overcome recruitment challenges
Worcestershire businesses are being encouraged to attend a free seminar to help them overcome recruitment challenges. Job vacancies in the UK is currently standing at 1.2million and recruitment remains one of the major challenges faced by businesses right now. The...
Charity News
KEMP Hospice Celebrates 55 Years of Care and Support
Throughout 2024, Wyre Forest charity KEMP Hospice has been celebrating 55 years of providing care and support to those living with life-limiting illness and bereavement in the region. Originally formed in 1969, KEMP has gone on to become a dedicated Day Hospice...
ISO QSL Relaunches Award-Winning Bingo Box Challenge in Support of Worcester Foodbank
With the cost-of-living crisis deepening and an increasing number of individuals facing financial hardship, the need for support in our community has never been more pressing. Over the past year alone, foodbanks within the Trussell Trust network have distributed over...
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...
BCC News
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...
Worcestershire News
Minster Micro acquires Software Licences and IP of Darklake Developments
A Worcestershire IT firm has acquired the software licences and technology of a former Devon-based business software provider. Kidderminster-based Minster Micro Computers has completed a deal to take over the intellectual property and bespoke software licences of...
SVR announces Saint as first Autumn Steam Gala guest, with an extended stay for 2999 ‘Lady of Legend’
The Severn Valley Railway has announced that GWR 2999 ‘Lady of Legend’ is to make an extended visit to the railway, culminating in a guest appearance at its Autumn Steam Gala on 19-22 September. The Saint locomotive is the only one of its class in existence, and it...
Herefordshire News
Marches LEP launches new £140,000 transport fund
A new fund to help finance the preparation of strategic business cases for vital transport infrastructure projects has been launched by the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership. The £140,000 fund – developed in partnership with regional transport body Midlands Connect...
ECHO Herefordshire to Host The Big Fat Quiz
ECHO Herefordshire, the charity which supports adults with learning and other disabilities in Herefordshire, is delighted to be holding its first Big Fat Quiz on Thursday 9th November at Leominster Golf Club. The charity is delighted that the Quiz is being presented...
All Latest News
Preventing Harm at the Heart of Policing Conference
Stark statistics, shocking stories, and insights into policing methods were all part of the Evidence Based Policing Conference at the University of Worcester recently. The event, attended by students, staff, and representatives from a host of organisations, addressed...
City Signs Announced as the New ‘Official Signage Partner’ for Worcester City Women Football Club
With the launch of the new season at Worcester City Women Football Club just around the corner, their new ‘Official Signage Partner’ for the next two years has been announced as Worcester-based, professional signage production company, City Signs. City Signs have long...
ISO Quality Services Ltd Raises £6,800 for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity at Annual Golf Day
In celebration of their 25th anniversary, ISO Quality Services is proud to announce the success of their annual Charity Golf Day, which raised an impressive £6,800 in support of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity – a life saving emergency service they’ve proudly supported...
Could you host a T Level industry placement?
We’re offering funding to support employers with the essential costs of hosting T Level industry placements starting now through to 31st March 2026. Whether you’re a large organisation or a small business, we can help: Construction Route – Support available for...
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Release the Quarterly Economic Survey Report for Q2 2025
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has released the Quarterly Economic Survey Report for Q2 2025, supported by Worcestershire County Council. The Quarterly Economic Survey is a comprehensive analysis of economic data collected from a diverse range...
Joint Area Council Meeting Notes (20/06/2025) –
Logistics Sector: The logistics industry is vital to the UK economy but faces growing challenges. Rising employer National Insurance contributions increase pressure, especially on smaller operators. Fuel prices are set to surge due to the Middle East situation; while...
Want to submit a story?
If you would like to read our guide to submitting a story click here