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 to your latest edition of Branch Lines!
Were you lucky enough to visit the Valley over the festive period? Things were humming from Boxing Day through till 4 January. And what a high we ended the season on! Two days of sunny but cold weather and a Winter Steam Gala as well. What more could we ask for? No...
Latest Article
Welcome to your latest edition of Branch Lines!
Were you lucky enough to visit the Valley over the festive period? Things were humming from Boxing Day through till 4 January. And what a high we ended the season on! Two days of sunny but cold weather and a Winter Steam Gala as well. What more could we ask for? No...
Member News
NMITE Appoints its First Head of Learning and Teaching To Support the Institution’s Ambitious Development Plans
NMITE has appointed Dr Richard Lillington, as Professor in Engineering and its first Head of Learning and Teaching, marking a key milestone in shaping the institution’s academic growth and strategic direction. He joins NMITE this month (January 2026) from Aston...
Employment Rights Bill: What Every Business Needs to Know
The UK is on the verge of a major employment law overhaul. The Employment Rights Bill—hailed as the most significant upgrade in a generation—is expected to become law imminently. Its impact will be universal: every business, regardless of size or sector, will need to...
Patron & Strategic News
University Women’s Team Head Undefeated into the New Year
The University of Worcester’s Women’s Football Team are chasing promotion, as they enter the new year unbeaten after a record-breaking first half of the season. The side has won all eight of its league and cup fixtures so far, scoring 96 goals and conceding just once....
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...
Chamber News
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Partners with Worcestershire’s 2026 TechFest
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce partners with Worcestershire’s 2026 TechFest. We are thrilled to announce our role as Official Partners for Worcestershire TechFest 2026. Following on from a successful launch in 2025, which saw 500+...
Make Your Voice Heard: Voting Opens for the Herefordshire Area Council
We’re recruiting three new Herefordshire Area Council members and now we need your vote. These newly elected members will join senior leaders from a wide range of business sectors across the county, providing crucial sector-specific insights and contributing to...
Our Latest Member
Welcome New Members October
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout October. TR Solar & Roofing – provides expert solar installations and roofing solutions to make your home energy-efficient and sustainable Exceptional Development – empowers individuals and...
Welcome New Members October
Warm welcome to our newest Members who joined throughout October. TR Solar & Roofing – provides expert solar installations and roofing solutions to make your home energy-efficient and sustainable Exceptional Development – empowers individuals and...
Policy News
Autumn Budget 2025 summary: What you need to know
After months of unprecedented and exhausting speculation, policy kite-flying and last-minute U-turns that rattled the markets, Rachel Reeves has finally unveiled her much-anticipated second Budget, delivered as late in the year as politically possible. She faced a...
Key Employment Law Updates: Winter 2025
Employment Rights Bill in “Ping Pong” Phase as Key Provisions Remain in Debate As winter 2025 approaches, the Employment Rights Act 2025 has yet to be finalised, with several headline provisions still under dispute following rejection by the House of Lords on 28...
Skills News
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...
Trio complete training contracts at Worcestershire law firm
Three up and coming lawyers are celebrating after completing their training contracts with Worcestershire law firm mfg Solicitors. Solicitors Sufyaan Aslim, Lucy Palmer and Molly Wall have now been appointed into full-time positions at the law firm having completed...
Charity News
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...
Growing Hope This Christmas: How Local Businesses Can Support WMRSASC’s Purple Leaf Project
This December, WMRSASC is inviting local businesses to support the Purple Leaf Project – Tree of Hope at Worcester Cathedral. Each hand-painted purple leaf represents solidarity, strength, and a message of hope for survivors of sexual violence — and every donation...
More Clouds Gathering Over Business Confidence
Confidence among firms has continued to weaken, with tax remaining the biggest concern, according to the UK’s largest business sentiment survey. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Survey also found more businesses now expect to raise prices in...
BCC News
More Clouds Gathering Over Business Confidence
Confidence among firms has continued to weaken, with tax remaining the biggest concern, according to the UK’s largest business sentiment survey. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Survey also found more businesses now expect to raise prices in...
Worcestershire News
Main Line Rail Companies Pitch in at the Severn Valley Railway
Thanks to an ambitious and unique joint volunteering effort by many companies across the rail sector, the Severn Valley Railway has succeeded in re-laying track across its newly repaired Mor Brook bridge in Shropshire. This was achieved in record time and at zero...
A Vintage Transport Extravaganza at the SVR in August
A full weekend of heritage trains and classic vehicles awaits as the Severn Valley Railway’s much-loved Vintage Transport Extravaganza rolls in on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 August. Just weeks after the railway proudly reopens its full 16.5-mile route from Kidderminster...
Herefordshire 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,...
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...
All Latest News
Turn your unwanted Christmas gifts into a lifeline for local children
Did Santa bring you a gorgeous gift… that you already own? Did you get something fabulous and fashionable, but it doesn’t quite fit? Or have the festivities left your wardrobes and cupboards feeling a little too bloated? Before you mistle-toss them into the attic, why...
Policing Students Tackle Violence Against Women and Girls with Poster Campaign
Aspiring police officers at the University of Worcester have created a powerful public messaging campaign aimed at tackling violence against women and girls. Students on the Professional Policing degree produced posters inspired by their studies, focused on educating...
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...
University Women’s Team Head Undefeated into the New Year
The University of Worcester’s Women’s Football Team are chasing promotion, as they enter the new year unbeaten after a record-breaking first half of the season. The side has won all eight of its league and cup fixtures so far, scoring 96 goals and conceding just once....
Budget consultation for businesses
Worcester City Council is the only organisation exclusively dedicated to serving Worcester’s 106,700 residents, but we face tough decisions as we consider how your money should be spent and what our priorities should be for the year ahead. Every year the Council is...
Celebrating excellence in apprenticeships
We are delighted to announce that nominations are now open for the first-ever Herefordshire Apprenticeship Awards. Hosted by Herefordshire Growth Hub in partnership with Herefordshire Council and local training organisations, these awards will recognise and celebrate:...
Want to submit a story?
If you would like to read our guide to submitting a story click here