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.
New Era As UK-India Trade Deal Begins
Reacting to the UK-India trade deal entering into force, Steve Lynch MBE, Director of International Trade at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “It has been a tough few years for UK traders but there is a real buzz among businesses about this deal entering into...
Latest Article
New Era As UK-India Trade Deal Begins
Reacting to the UK-India trade deal entering into force, Steve Lynch MBE, Director of International Trade at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “It has been a tough few years for UK traders but there is a real buzz among businesses about this deal entering into...
Member News
Ballast Launches New Name as Business Heads Towards Three-Year Anniversary
Nicola Hale People Consulting has rebranded to Ballast, ahead of the business’s third anniversary this November. Founded by Nicola Hale in 2023, the business has built its reputation providing embedded fractional Chief People Officer leadership, giving...
Upwards-Only Rent Reviews are going — But will the Government actually achieve what it set out to do?
A perspective on the implications for the Worcestershire commercial property market. The ban on upwards-only rent reviews (UORR) has been billed as a landmark moment for commercial tenants, and in some respects, it is, but here in Worcestershire, where the...
Patron & Strategic News
Ormerod Rutter Chartered Accountants appoint new Associate Partner
Ormerod Rutter are delighted to announce the promotion of Marc Jovanovic to Associate Partner. Marc joined the firm in 2015 as a Tax Junior and has gone on to build an outstanding career with us. After qualifying for AAT in 2017, he went on to achieve his CTA...
NMITE AWARDED INVESTMENT TO BOOST STUDENT PLACES AND FACILITIES TO STRENGTHEN UK DEFENCE INDUSTRY
Directly supporting the building of the country’s sovereign capability NMITE, the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering, today announces that it is the recipient of a new government award which will enable it to offer additional student places and build...
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: 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...
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...
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
Early Modern Justice Brought to Life in Free Lecture at The Hive
An historian who uses actors to re-enact arrests, run-ins with the law, and even riots in early modern England is the latest speaker in the Engine Room Lecture Series at the Hive. Dr Lucy Clarke will present her free lecture, A Justice of the Peace walks into a bar,...
Action for Mental Health Awareness Week At WHC Hire Services
For 2026, WHC Hire Services are proud to once again support Mates in Mind during Mental Health Awareness Week, taking place from 11th – 17th May. Following our continued commitment to raising awareness around mental health within our industry, this year’s...
6 Practical Ways to Prevent Unpaid Invoices in Your Business with Talbots Collect.
Getting paid on time is essential to maintaining healthy cash flow. That’s why we launched Talbots Collect, a new debt recovery solution offering transparent fixed-fee pricing and commercially focused support to help businesses recover outstanding debts quickly and...
Community Power Celebrate Mayor’s Charity Partnership
Community Power and Lee’s Place were recently honoured to attend the Mayor Making Ceremony in Hereford for the installation of the 645th Mayor of Hereford, Councillor Cat Hornsey. The event was a celebration of community, partnership, and civic pride, bringing...
Britannic Place strengthens team following continued growth
Worcester-based Chartered Financial Planning firm Britannic Place Financial Management Ltd has welcomed three new team members as part of its long-term growth plans. Andrea Arnold has joined the business as Business Manager, bringing experience from a senior...
Business Groups Unite In Stand Against Antisemitism
The UK’s leading business organisations have signed a joint letter pledging to take a stand against antisemitism, committing to concrete action to support Jewish employees and foster inclusive workplaces. The initiative, co-ordinated by the British Chambers of...
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