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.
BCC Economic Forecast: Growth Upgraded But Concern Over Two Speed Economy
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Forecast (QEF) has increased growth predictions for 2025, but the UK economy will remain sluggish. Better-than-expected business investment in Q1 is forecast to boost GDP across 2025. Inflation is projected to...
Latest Article
BCC Economic Forecast: Growth Upgraded But Concern Over Two Speed Economy
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Forecast (QEF) has increased growth predictions for 2025, but the UK economy will remain sluggish. Better-than-expected business investment in Q1 is forecast to boost GDP across 2025. Inflation is projected to...
Member News
Leading Hip Surgeon Supports Campaign to Help Students
One of the world’s leading hip surgeons has joined efforts at the University of Worcester to raise money for student scholarship and hardship funds. The University’s Foundation Anniversaries Campaign launched just two weeks ago and has already raised £25,000. Ronan...
Leaders In Strategy Blog – Why People Are NOT Your Greatest Asset!
Written by Mike Harris, Managing Director at Strategus Consulting Introduction Hello to all you Leaders In Strategy! I’m Mike Harris and welcome back to the latest episode of my blog, where I challenge the widely held belief that employees are a company’s most...
Patron & Strategic News
Daley Jones Takes on New Role at Hoople Group
Hoople Group are pleased to announce that Daley Jones is taking on a new role at the company, as Head of Learning & Business Development. Daley has many years’ experience in the training and education sector, and will continue to lead Hoople’s Training Team and...
Hoople Group Supports the Local Economy
Hoople Group supports the local economy by delivering a range of services to its council and NHS shareholders, schools and academies, private sector businesses and charities. At a time when the public sector is facing pressure to deliver increased services with...
Chamber News
Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey now open!
Our latest Quarterly Economic Survey is now open. Click here to take part. Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce represent the views of our members to national government, ensuring that the business case drives government policy. A great benefit of...
Join us at the Chamber Business Expo!
Businesses looking to grow their networks, find new suppliers or customers, and find out the latest from the businesses in the two counties are urged to book their place at the upcoming Business Expo. The popular bi-annual event is taking place on Thursday 9 March...
Our Latest Member
Introducing The HR Hero to Chamber Membership!
Hi, I’m Kate Bennett, founder of The HR Hero! As a business owner, HR can be overwhelming. Whether you’re employing your first member of staff, growing a team or have an established workforce, there is complex employment law to navigate and people practices to...
Introducing The HR Hero to Chamber Membership!
Hi, I’m Kate Bennett, founder of The HR Hero! As a business owner, HR can be overwhelming. Whether you’re employing your first member of staff, growing a team or have an established workforce, there is complex employment law to navigate and people practices to...
Policy News
Decade of productivity figures revised by Office for National Statistics
On 28 June, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released a publication revising productivity figures from 1997 to 2018. Productivity growth was revised up in around a quarter of industries, predominantly manufacturing. On the other hand, growth was revised down...
UK-EU trading relationship inquiry extended until 31 December 2021
The International Trade Committee has launched an inquiry into the UK-EU trading relationship, which is being conducted under the terms of the UK-EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA). The closing date for written evidence has been extended to 31 December 2021....
Skills News
Worcestershire chosen to have another Careers Hub supporting Middle Schools to create our future workforce
Worcestershire has been selected as part of a new wave of Careers Hubs launched across the UK.
The Careers and Enterprise Company announced on Tuesday 23 June that Worcestershire has been chosen in the new wave 3 Careers hubs.
Worcestershire chosen to have another Careers Hub supporting Middle Schools to create our future workforce
Worcestershire has been selected as part of a new wave of Careers Hubs launched across the UK. The Careers and Enterprise Company announced on Tuesday 23 June that Worcestershire has been chosen in the new wave 3 careers hubs. Currently the county secured a Wave 1...
Charity News
Vamos Theatre opens its doors for a special day of play
Vamos Theatre, the award-winning full mask theatre company based in Worcester, is inviting non-theatre professionals to join in a unique workshop – one that’s for everyone who’s interested in theatre. Renowned for its ground-breaking, non-verbal performance style,...
Lifesaving charity Arrive Alive becomes charity of the year with Johnsons Coaches for 2023
Established in 1909 family business Johnsons Coaches has become one of the most well respected coach companies within the UK, winning multiple awards for its service and core values. With community and the service at the forefront of their business they have supported...
Inflation at Target Raises Rate Cut Hopes
Responding to the latest inflation data published by ONS, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Today’s data showing CPI easing to the Bank of England’s 2% target, is a further sign that the UK is exiting the inflation crisis...
BCC News
Inflation at Target Raises Rate Cut Hopes
Responding to the latest inflation data published by ONS, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Today’s data showing CPI easing to the Bank of England’s 2% target, is a further sign that the UK is exiting the inflation crisis...
Worcestershire News
Grand opening of new electrical training centre at Worcester Community Trust’s inaugural annual celebration event
More than 80 members of the local community came together on Thursday 28 September to celebrate the impact that local charity Worcester Community Trust has had during 2022 and 2023. The charity runs six community hubs throughout Worcester, as well as wide range of...
Fundraising event at Fusion Salon!
Earlier in the week, our Fusion salon, based in Redditch, took part in the Style Against Cancer for Children with Cancer UK! The Fusion reception was decorated with Style Against Cancer balloons and banners and the Level 2 hair students were offering clients a wash,...
Herefordshire News
Courtyard shortlisted for FSB Award for Sustainability
The Courtyard is delighted to announce it has been shortlisted for the FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards 2023 in the West Midlands in the Sustainability category. FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) is a non-profit organisation and the UK’s leading business...
You’re invited to Talk Community’s next networking breakfast!
Wednesday 1st March, 2023 8am – 10am Hereford Rugby Football Club, Wyeside, Belvedere Lane, Hereford, HR4 0PH Please book your place here The Connecting Business and Charities breakfast is a unique event for businesses, social enterprises, and voluntary and community...
All Latest News
Residential Development Expert Paul Harris Joins mfg Solicitors
Law firm mfg Solicitors has bolstered its residential development team with the appointment of a new senior associate. Residential development specialist Paul Harris has joined the firm, working closely with partner and head of residential development, Rhiannon Clark....
Innovating Together: Talisman Plastics and Merriott Group Merge for Enhanced Collaboration and Growth
Developments within the plastics injection moulding industry sees two big players come together and evolve into a singular group. Talisman Plastics and Merriott Group agreed a merger in 2024 that sees all three of their UK factories brought together as one business....
Glued Taking Action Towards Net Zero Goals
Glued taking action towards net zero goals Being a micro business means our direct impact on the environment is low. But we support many businesses across the West Midlands with marketing, brand and web development, which represents a far wider scope of influence. So...
Digital Transformation Will Make or Break Business in 2025
By Sean Devlin, IT and Digital Transformation Partner, Ballards LLP In an era where digital capability isn’t just about competitive advantage but about survival, how ready is your organisation for the challenges of 2025? As we navigate through this pivotal year,...
Paddington™ to visit the Severn Valley Railway in February
There’ll be plenty of family fun at the Severn Valley Railway, with appearances from the energetic and much-loved character Paddington™ from Tuesday 18 to Thursday 20 February 2025. Families can take an exciting heritage train ride out to The Engine House, Highley and...
Worcester Student Takes on Key Role in Basketball Final
A University of Worcester student says she was shocked to learn she had been appointed as a statistician for the prestigious Super League Basketball Women’s Trophy Final this weekend. Emma Wickham, who’s studying for her Master’s in Applied Sports Performance...
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