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.
HydroShunter launched at Kidderminster as UK’s first hydrogen-powered shunting locomotive enters the market Date: 26 February 2026
Vanguard Sustainable Transport Solutions and the Severn Valley Railway today (Thursday 26 February) marked a major milestone in railway decarbonisation with the official launch to market of the UK’s first hydrogen-powered railway shunting locomotive, unveiled at the...
Latest Article
HydroShunter launched at Kidderminster as UK’s first hydrogen-powered shunting locomotive enters the market Date: 26 February 2026
Vanguard Sustainable Transport Solutions and the Severn Valley Railway today (Thursday 26 February) marked a major milestone in railway decarbonisation with the official launch to market of the UK’s first hydrogen-powered railway shunting locomotive, unveiled at the...
Member News
University Expert’s Tips on How to Finish a Novel, Not Just Start One!
A University of Worcester expert will share her insider tips on not just starting a novel, but actually finishing one, in a special workshop at The Hive. Lecturer in Creative Writing, Dr Ruth Stacey, will be leading a free session on this topic on February 18 (5pm)....
‘Inspiring’ Worcester Graduate’s Free Physiotherapy Clinic Passes 120 Appointments as Funding Extended into 2027
A University of Worcester graduate who set up a free physiotherapy clinic for local residents says he’s delighted after receiving an extension of community funding that will allow the service to continue into next year. Physiotherapy graduate Oliver Nightingale, who...
Patron & Strategic News
NMITE AND THE BRITISH ARMY ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT TO LAUNCH REVOLUTIONARY UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE IN AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS
The New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) has reached a landmark agreement with the UK Armed Forces to develop a groundbreaking new undergraduate degree in Autonomous Systems which will be set to welcome its first students in September 2026. Built...
Hamnet Puts Herefordshire in the Global Spotlight – Here’s How Your Business Can Get Involved
Herefordshire is stepping onto the world stage, and local businesses have a unique opportunity to be part of something truly special. Global buzz is building around Hamnet, the beautifully crafted film adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s award-winning novel. Directed by...
Chamber News
Welcome new Members!
The warmest welcome to our newest Members: A&S Financial Services – A&S Financial Services are a Redditch based Mortgage Brokers who deal with a comprehensive panel of mortgage lenders and insurance products based on an analysis of a number of insurers....
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce QES Report Q2 2024
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has released the Quarterly Economic Survey Report for Q2 2024, supported by Worcestershire County Council. The Quarterly Economic Survey is a comprehensive analysis of economic data collected from a diverse range...
Our Latest Member
Welcome new Members!
The warmest welcome to our newest Members: appyepos LTD – Offer B2B and B2C Digital solutions including but not limited to websites epos, ecommerce, digital marketing, bespoke app creation, online ticketing and payment solutions. BARN (Bromsgrove and Redditch...
Welcome new Members!
The warmest welcome to our newest Members: appyepos LTD – Offer B2B and B2C Digital solutions including but not limited to websites epos, ecommerce, digital marketing, bespoke app creation, online ticketing and payment solutions. BARN (Bromsgrove and Redditch...
Policy News
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Releases Business Manifesto for 2025/26
The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has launched its Business Manifesto for 2025/26, outlining its key priorities for the year ahead. Based on extensive research, including insights from the Quarterly Economic Survey and direct engagement with...
National Insurance Creating ‘Powder Keg’ of Costs
• 82% of firms surveyed say the National Insurance (NI) rise will impact their business • Most responding businesses say the increase in NI will impact recruitment (58%) and prices (54%) • Over three quarters (79%) of businesses do not feel the government has properly...
Skills News
Pershore College trainer assessor gains engineering professional status
A Pershore College trainer assessor has been awarded a major engineering professional status and is now set to pass on his expertise to college students. Andy Tabberer-Catt has been recognised by the Engineering Council and the Institution of Agricultural Engineers....
College helping country’s railways keep moving with Network Rail partnership
A Worcestershire college will be helping to keep the country’s railways moving after striking an apprenticeship partnership with Network Rail. Pershore College, which is part of college group WCG, will be supporting the rail infrastructure company to develop its...
Charity News
St Michael’s Hospice welcomes government funding boost to improve facilities and services
St Michael’s Hospice is grateful for the news that they will receive in the coming weeks £166,000 of Government funding towards capital programmes, as a result of the lobbying from Hospice UK. The Government has pledged an investment of £100 million into hospices...
KEMP Hospice Joins National Campaign to Change Perceptions of Hospice Care
Wyre Forest’s KEMP Hospice is proud to be one of over 140 hospices taking part in the “This is Hospice Care” campaign, a national initiative facilitated by Hospice UK. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the vital role hospices play in communities, and to shift...
Lords’ Amendments Give Firms Hope
Reacting to the news that the House of Lords has re-inserted key amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, Patrick Milnes, Head of People and Work Policy, said: “We are fast reaching the end of the road for crucial changes, that businesses desperately want to see, to...
BCC News
Lords’ Amendments Give Firms Hope
Reacting to the news that the House of Lords has re-inserted key amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, Patrick Milnes, Head of People and Work Policy, said: “We are fast reaching the end of the road for crucial changes, that businesses desperately want to see, to...
Worcestershire News
David Tomkins, Data Analyst Level 4 Apprentice.
Promotion to an Apprenticeship! Recently TDM have promoted one of our existing members of staff onto a Data Analyst Level 4 Apprenticeship programme. David Tomkins, previously TDM’s Marketing Manager, moved into this role and has exceled beyond belief. TDM believe in...
TDM are a Worcestershire Skills-Boost Approved Partner for Talent Experience Coaching
By Derrin Kent Please contact us at [email protected] or 0333 10 100 40 if you want to set up a discovery conversation with our MD & Director of Studies, Derrin Kent, to learn about how our match-funded coaching can improve Talent Experience for your...
Herefordshire News
Herefordshire to ‘charge ahead’ Thanks to Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Funding
Thirteen Midlands Councils have led a successful bid for £39.3mil to get more chargers onto our streets – including Herefordshire, which will receive £1.124m. The Midlands has come together to create two partnerships across the region to successfully submit a bid for...
Herefordshire Skills Show Returns to Hereford Racecourse on Wednesday 4th October 2023
As the first event of its kind in Herefordshire the show far exceeded expectations in 2019 with over 45 exhibitors and 600 visitors! Including a quiet hour (from 10-11am) for which we received very positive feedback from young people and the National Autistic Society...
All Latest News
University of Worcester Marks 20 Years of Pioneering Education and Advocacy to End Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence
The University of Worcester has marked two decades of ground breaking work in tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence through education, research, and advocacy. The milestone event brought together alumni of the University’s pioneering Master’s programme,...
Parents encouraged to spot signs and symptoms of childhood cancer to help early detection
A childhood cancer charity is encouraging parents to become more aware of the early signs and symptoms of cancer among children, after research showed low levels of recognition. With only three out of 10 parents feeling able to spot the signs and symptoms of childhood...
Why We Love Christmas Songs, and the Fascinating Fantasy Science of Christmas!
Why do the same Christmas songs return every year? And what would it actually take for reindeer to achieve flight? These questions will be answered in a free public talk at The Hive next week, hosted by experts from the University of Worcester. Lou Aimes-Hill,...
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...
Celebrating Excellence at the 2025 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards
The 2025 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards marked a significant milestone in the county’s ongoing commitment to developing talent, celebrating success, and championing the value of apprenticeships. Now in its eleventh year, the programme continues to grow in...
Finding Your Voice: Why Speaking Skills Matter More Than Ever
They say that people have a greater fear of speaking in public than they do of death. And while this is not actually true – the research results are used with a large degree of poetic licence – for many, speaking in public still feels edgy and risky. If...
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