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.
Beacon CRM Breach: What UK Charities (and Any Organisation Using a Third-Party CRM) Need to Do Now
Beacon CRM, a customer relationship management platform used by more than 1,500 UK charities, has confirmed a cyber security incident that has exposed supporter and donor data across a growing number of organisations. Victims already known to be affected include the...
Latest Article
Beacon CRM Breach: What UK Charities (and Any Organisation Using a Third-Party CRM) Need to Do Now
Beacon CRM, a customer relationship management platform used by more than 1,500 UK charities, has confirmed a cyber security incident that has exposed supporter and donor data across a growing number of organisations. Victims already known to be affected include the...
Member News
Accessible support for confident learning and successful transitions
As learners prepare for a new academic year, accessible, person-centred support can make a meaningful difference to confidence, focus and participation. This free Study Day at The Shell Store brings together the specialist expertise of Herefordshire &...
SPELLER METCALFE REPORTS STRONGEST FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IN COMPANY HISTORY
Speller Metcalfe has announced the strongest financial performance in its history, reporting a 48% increase in profit before tax (PBT) to £5.0m for the year ending 31 March 2026. The Midlands and South West building contractor achieved turnover of £158.9m while...
Patron & Strategic News
Hidden LGBTQ Stories to be Uncovered at The Hive This Pride Month
LGBTQ stories and hidden histories will be celebrated at The Hive in Worcester at a free event exploring queer literary history from Worcestershire to Paris. The Salon: Pride at The Hive, which takes place on 24 June, 6.15-7.30pm, will bring to life the stories of...
Is your website losing mobile enquiries?
Pick up your phone and look at your own website. Not the desktop version you checked when it launched, the version most of your customers actually see. More than half of all web traffic in the UK now happens on mobile. If your site was built for a desktop screen and...
Chamber News
Autumn Budget 2024: Key Points
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has delivered Labour’s first Budget since 2010, after the party’s return to power in July’s general election. Here are some key points to take away from the Autumn Budget. Personal Tax and benefits The Minimum wage for adults over 21 is set to...
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Release the Quarterly Economic Survey Report for Q3 2024
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has released the Quarterly Economic Survey Report for Q3 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: 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....
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....
Policy News
Extent Of US Tariff Impact Revealed
62% of UK firms with trade exposure to the USA say they will be negatively impacted by US tariffs, compared to 41% with no exposure 32% of firms with trade exposure to the USA say they will increase prices in response to the tariff 44% of firms with exposure to the...
Toxic Mix As Businesses Prepare for Tax Rise
QES_infosheet_Q1_2025 59% of businesses say tax, including national insurance, is now a concern, the second highest level on record following a peak in the previous quarter Business confidence remains subdued, with less than half of firms (48%) expecting turnover to...
Skills News
College group calls for industry leaders to support skills agenda delivery
A leading college group is calling on industry leaders in key sectors to help it deliver on local, regional and national skills agendas. WCG (formerly Warwickshire College Group) is looking for individuals to join the advisory boards of each of its six colleges – and...
Herefordshire employment project holds celebration event to mark the National Lottery’s 25th birthday
An employment programme led by Charity Landau, that helps Herefordshire people into work is holding a celebration event on Wednesday 22nd September to showcase the various opportunities available and the achievements of participants who have been supported by the...
Charity 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,...
National Supported Lodgings Week: Could You Open Your Door to Change a Young Life?
This November (9th–16th) marks National Supported Lodgings Week, celebrating the incredible role ordinary people play in providing safe and supportive homes for young people who might otherwise face homelessness. Through St Basils Supported Lodgings scheme,...
BCC Economic Forecast: Global Turmoil to Hit Growth and Push Up Inflation
The latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) economic forecast suggests slow growth in 2026, higher inflation due to the Middle East crisis, and rising unemployment as the labour market softens. The BCC forecast is the first economic assessment by a business...
BCC News
BCC Economic Forecast: Global Turmoil to Hit Growth and Push Up Inflation
The latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) economic forecast suggests slow growth in 2026, higher inflation due to the Middle East crisis, and rising unemployment as the labour market softens. The BCC forecast is the first economic assessment by a business...
Worcestershire News
Spring Diesel Festival is a ‘smash hit’ with more than 5,000 Visitors at the Severn Valley Railway
The Severn Valley Railway is celebrating the success of its most recent rail enthusiast event, as it looks back on the four days of its Spring Diesel Festival. With visitor numbers significantly exceeding expectations, and a stunning line-up of diesel traction, the...
Musical Message at the Heart of Mural Created by University Students for the Worcester Community.
Students have created a 55-metre-long mural on a busy Worcester thoroughfare, completely transforming what was a graffiti scrawled wall in the city. The team spent days bringing the mural to life on the walkway between Hardwicke Close and Hylton Road next to the...
Herefordshire News
Marches Careers Hub Celebrates Year of Success
The Marches Careers Hub has enjoyed a year of success – with sustained improvements across the last 12 months, new figures show. The hub – which is delivered by the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership for the Careers and Enterprise Company in partnership with...
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...
All Latest News
Wyevale Nurseries supports landmark tree planting project at Cotswolds Distillery
WYEVALE Nurseries has supported a major tree planting and landscape enhancement initiative at Cotswolds Distillery in collaboration with Gloucestershire County Council’s Greener Gloucestershire Trees Team and landscape architects Rachael White Designs (May 2026). The...
Why work-life balance is a business issue, not just a people issue
Having spent much of my career in food, drink and FMCG manufacturing, I know how easy it is for long hours and constant availability to become normal. When production targets need hitting, staffing is tight and problems keep coming, stepping in can feel like the only...
New research hub launched to advance understanding of injuries and rehabilitation in women’s sport
A new research hub has been launched by The University of Worcester and University of Gloucestershire, focused on advancing understanding of injuries and rehabilitation in female sport. The Women’s Injury and Science Hub (WISH) is believed to be the first research...
BCRS Business Loans passes £5m in Midlands Engine Investment Fund II lending
Community lender BCRS Business Loans has passed £5 million in lending for the British Business Bank’s Midlands Engine Investment Fund II since its launch, creating 237 new jobs across the West Midlands. BCRS Business Loans has supported 82 businesses by delivering...
Keeping Herefordshire & Worcestershire Working: Why Workforce Health Matters
Businesses across Herefordshire & Worcestershire are being invited to the ‘Keep Herefordshire & Worcestershire Working’ conference to learn more about the workplace wellbeing support available. The UK labour market is rapidly changing with more than a fifth of...
Apprenticeship Support Events for Worcestershire Employers
Small or medium‑sized employers based in Malvern Hills and Wychavon Districts are being encouraged to attend two upcoming events designed to simplify the latest apprenticeship funding and support available to local businesses. With a range of new financial incentives...
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