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.
Reading the Seismograph: What the BCC’s QES Dashboard can tell us about the looming economic shock
The latest results from the British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for Q1 2026 present a familiar picture1. Business confidence remains subdued. Investment intentions are weak. Cost pressures, though no longer accelerating, remain elevated. Firms...
Latest Article
Reading the Seismograph: What the BCC’s QES Dashboard can tell us about the looming economic shock
The latest results from the British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for Q1 2026 present a familiar picture1. Business confidence remains subdued. Investment intentions are weak. Cost pressures, though no longer accelerating, remain elevated. Firms...
Member News
BCRS Business Loans allocated £20m by the British Business Bank to support businesses across the West Midlands and Wales
Community lender BCRS Business Loans has been allocated £20m by the British Business Bank to support underserved small businesses across the West Midlands and Wales. Wolverhampton-based BCRS Business Loans is the sixth lender to be accredited by the British Business...
University of Worcester Shortlisted for Two WhatUni Student Choice Awards
The University of Worcester has been shortlisted for two awards in the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2026: Career Prospects and Halls and Student Accommodation. The shortlistings reflect the University’s strong commitment to providing an outstanding student...
Patron & Strategic News
New Head of People at Hoople Group
Hoople Group is delighted to announce that Julie Bridgewater has been promoted to Head of People and joins the company’s Executive Management Team. Julie has over 20 years’ experience in HR, including investigation, complex casework, employee relations and developing...
Literature Expert to Give Insights on Messaging in Children’s Fiction
A free talk at The Hive will uncover the surprising moral and political messages woven into the children’s books we grew up loving. Professor Jean Webb, a University of Worcester expert in International Children’s Literature, will lead the session, titled “Not Just...
Chamber News
Services and Digital Trade ‘Key To Boosting Exports’
The British Chambers of Commerce has endorsed the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) focus on services and digital trade as key priorities. The BCC was part of a record-size UK delegation to the WTO Public Forum in Geneva, last week. It met with the UK Ambassador to the...
Welcome New Members
The warmest welcome to our newest Members: Aeromet International Limited – A Leading Supplier of Aluminium and Magnesium Castings for the Aerospace and Defence Industries. Behind The Smile – They offer support for those experiencing poor mental health and...
Our Latest Member
Introducing PABON HALL INTERNATIONAL Trade Negotiators to the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce!
My name is Lina Pabon, the founder and managing director of PABON HALL International Trade Negotiators. I am delighted to present my company to the public and make our services available to you. Our purpose is to bridge business and promotional interests between Latin...
Introducing PABON HALL INTERNATIONAL Trade Negotiators to the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce!
My name is Lina Pabon, the founder and managing director of PABON HALL International Trade Negotiators. I am delighted to present my company to the public and make our services available to you. Our purpose is to bridge business and promotional interests between Latin...
Policy News
North Sea Taskforce Calls For Urgent Action
• The North Sea Transition Taskforce has called on the Government to rapidly establish a long-term, integrated plan to deliver a just energy transition in the North Sea. • Its new report finds the window of opportunity to secure the future of the North Sea is closing...
Challenging Spring Outlook As Firms Struggle to Bloom
Responding to the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today the Chancellor saw a small dip in inflation, however her statement was made against a backdrop of downgraded economic growth for...
Skills News
Faun Zoeller UK chief executive heads up pioneering mentoring group to find the next generation of business talent
For businesses to continue to build on success and flourish in the future, a constant influx of young people is essential. To help safeguard the future of Redditch based waste management company FAUN Zoeller UK, Simon Hyde set up Power Up, which is a mix of senior...
OLPRO launches design collaboration with University of Worcester students
Worcestershire-based OLPRO has launched a collaboration with the University of Worcester’s Graphic Design students. The camping equipment specialist has commenced a four-month collaboration with the University students, who will use their design expertise to develop...
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,...
BCC Applauds Improved South Korean Trade Deal
Reacting to news of a new trade deal with South Korea, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “This looks to be a well-tailored deal that will suit the commercial interests of both our countries. Around £15bn worth of goods and services is already...
BCC News
BCC Applauds Improved South Korean Trade Deal
Reacting to news of a new trade deal with South Korea, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “This looks to be a well-tailored deal that will suit the commercial interests of both our countries. Around £15bn worth of goods and services is already...
Worcestershire News
Potter Space Droitwich welcomes Falcon Contract Flooring
Potter Space, a market leader in the small to mid-box (sub 100k sq. ft.) commercial property sector, has welcomed Falcon Contract Flooring to newly completed Unit 101 at its Droitwich Park. As a result, all units from the first phase of the logistics property...
Popular Radio Broadcaster Confirmed as Host for Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards
The Worcestershire Apprenticeships team has announced that entrepreneur, marketing expert, author and popular radio host, Ed James will be the host for the 2024 annual awards evening. Ed is a founding partner of global performance content marketing agency, Lunar...
Herefordshire News
Would you like to join Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Area Council?
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has a vacancy on the Herefordshire Area Council. The Chamber has two Area Councils, one that represents Herefordshire and one that represents Worcestershire. Area Councils meet six times a year: three meetings per...
Top Reasons to visit Lakes Edge Limited, Pudleston Court
Feel guilt free knowing, when we can, we use sustainable renewable energy sources across our 50-acre site, the log burners are lit from seasoned wood grown in our ancient woodland, our solar field catching daily rays and the biomass burning local woodchip. Breathe in...
All Latest News
From GCSE Resits to PhD, Worcester Lecturer Champions Diverse Learners
A mother of two who once believed she ‘wasn’t good enough’ for university is now graduating with a PhD that explores how to empower silenced learners. Anastasia Kennett studied for her undergraduate degree in Special Educational Disabilities at the University of...
Occupational Therapy Comes to Local Charity After Staff Member Retrains
A newly trained Occupational Therapist is already making a difference to young people at her Worcestershire workplace, after retraining and reshaping her career. Emma Nokes graduates from the University of Worcester this week with her MSc in Occupational Therapy and...
Introducing Socage UK Ltd – A World-Leading Manufacturer of Chassis & Track-Mounted MEWPs Now Supporting the UK Market
As a new member of the H&W Chamber I would like to introduce Socage UK Ltd. The largest manufacturer in the world of chassis and track mounted MEWPS. Made in Moderna, Italy available around the world and market leader in many countries. Our UK subsidiary is in...
Fresh Uncertainty As New 10 Per Cent Tariff Introduced
Reacting to a new 10 per cent US Tariff being introduced overnight instead of the expected 15 per cent, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “While a new 10 per cent US tariff rate, instead of the threatened 15 per cent, will provide some...
‘Made In Europe’ Plan Could Upend EU Reset
The British Chambers of Commerce has warned the UK could be sleepwalking into a legislative nightmare, which could upend the EU Reset, unless urgent action is taken. The EU is currently pursuing a Made In Europe agenda which aims to protect its industries from unfair...
Disruption Inevitable If Conflict Sustained
Commenting on the immediate impact on businesses of the US and Israeli combat operations in Iran and its military retaliation, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “There will be huge uncertainty for businesses as the situation in Iran and the wider...
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