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.
Business Cheered By Further Fall In Inflation
Reacting to the latest ONS inflation data published this morning, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Businesses will be cheered by the larger than expected slowing of inflation in November to 3.2%, suggesting it is now...
Latest Article
Business Cheered By Further Fall In Inflation
Reacting to the latest ONS inflation data published this morning, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Businesses will be cheered by the larger than expected slowing of inflation in November to 3.2%, suggesting it is now...
Member News
Supporting Care Leavers and Families: Join Our December Zoom Sessions
We have 2 Peer Support Zoom Sessions for Care Leavers and their families of all ages in Dec! This Wed 10th – New Horizons – 1.30-3pm – See enclosed leaflet for more info. Monday 15th – Information on Accessing Records – 10 am -12 midday...
Accountants welcome well-known Worcestershire face as NED
Blackthorns Chartered Accountants is delighted to announce a significant milestone in the firm’s continued growth and evolution, with David Price re-establishing a long standing relationship with the leadership team and coming on board as a Non-Executive Director....
Patron & Strategic News
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...
REHAU Celebrates Two Major Award Wins at 2025 National Fenestration Awards
REHAU UK is proud to announce that it has won two major awards at the prestigious National Fenestration Awards (NFAs) this year, recognising its continuing innovation, product quality and outstanding service that it delivers to customers year after year. The 2025...
Chamber News
Business Direction launches bold new look
The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has unveiled the brand-new, fully revamped Business Direction magazine — alongside the launch of its first dedicated website, marking a new era for the region’s leading business publication. The relaunch comes...
Improve Your Staff Recruitment and Retention with the Salary & Benefits Survey, in Partnership with Hewett Recruitment
Businesses are continuing to operate in an exceptionally tight labour market while navigating the ongoing cost of doing business crisis, further impacted by the National Insurance changes implemented this year. This competitive environment is putting pressure on...
Our Latest Member
Empowering SMEs Through Digital Learning
At Make Strides, we’re passionate about equipping businesses with the skills they need to thrive. That’s why we’ve become a strategic partner of the Hereford & Worcestershire Chamber if Commerce, aligning our expertise in digital learning with their mission to...
Empowering SMEs Through Digital Learning
At Make Strides, we’re passionate about equipping businesses with the skills they need to thrive. That’s why we’ve become a strategic partner of the Hereford & Worcestershire Chamber if Commerce, aligning our expertise in digital learning with their mission to...
Policy News
Cost Pressures Continue to Hit Labour Market
Responding to the latest labour market data published by the ONS this morning, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The ongoing impact of business cost pressures, most notably from the national insurance hike,...
Inflation Heaping More Pressure On Firms
Reacting to the latest inflation data published by the ONS this morning, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Businesses will be worried by inflation holding at 3.8% at a time when cost pressures continue to bite, especially on...
Skills News
Worcester recruitment firm supports students with CV and interview success tips
Experts from a leading Worcester recruitment firm have supported local school children through a one-day training programme which gave them tips how to write CVs and handle job interviews. Pineapple Recruitment, which specialise in providing a range of professionals...
81-year-old University Student set to Graduate Next Week
An 81-year-old student is set to graduate from the University of Worcester next week. Wendy Hill, from Ledbury, is among those graduating on Tuesday (March 4) after completing a Master of Research degree. “My message to other mature people who feel the need to achieve...
Charity News
Act Now: Transform Rural Families and Strengthen Your Workforce
Herefordshire charity Vennture is urging local businesses to invest in families and schools to build a stronger, more resilient workforce. Across rural communities, unresolved parental conflict, isolation, and limited access to services quietly undermine children’s...
Hoople Training share life-saving techniques in Restart a Heart Month
‘Restart a Heart Month’ is a national campaign to raise awareness of cardiac arrest and to encourage people to learn CPR. Hoople Training proudly used their expertise to support the initiative by providing opportunities for the public to learn CPR, free of charge,...
Unlocking AI Potential: How the BCC AI Academy Is Helping Local Businesses Thrive
In an age where artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword, but a business imperative, the BCC AI Academy is proving to be a game-changer for regional organisations. This is not just theoretical training; it’s a practical, hands-on programme...
BCC News
Unlocking AI Potential: How the BCC AI Academy Is Helping Local Businesses Thrive
In an age where artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword, but a business imperative, the BCC AI Academy is proving to be a game-changer for regional organisations. This is not just theoretical training; it’s a practical, hands-on programme...
Worcestershire News
Valley Railway delivers ‘biggest diesel gala of the year’
The Severn Valley Railway’s Spring Diesel Festival between 15 and 18 May welcomed more than 3,700 visitors and saw 20 locomotives in action, for what organisers believe was 2025’s largest diesel event on the preservation circuit. ‘What a fantastic show we put on!’...
Severn Valley Railway helps local aid charity
The Severn Valley Railway’s paint shop at Bridgnorth had an unusual visitor recently, in the form of a Mitsubishi 4×4 pickup. The SVR was assisting a local charity, Wyre Forest 2 Ukraine, with their efforts in sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The charity...
Herefordshire News
Herefordshire and Worcestershire’s Biggest Business Exhibition Draws a Record Crowd
On Thursday 10th October 2024, the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Hewett Recruitment, hosted their annual Business Expo at the University of Worcester Arena. This was the Chamber’s first Business Expo at the...
Kington Court Care Home Celebrates Clinical Lead’s 20 Years of Service
Rotherwood Healthcare is proud to announce that Rhodora Cunanan, Clinical Lead at award-winning Kington Court Nursing Home in Herefordshire, has recently celebrated 20 years of dedicated service. This remarkable milestone marks Rhodora’s enduring commitment to...
All Latest News
Customs Reform Needed As Import Rules Change
Responding to news of the Government’s plan to widen customs charges to low value goods entering the UK, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “This has been on the cards for a while as the US has already made this change and the EU will do so at the start of...
Shifting World Order Makes Supply Chain Security ‘Critical’
Responding to the launch of a Critical Minerals Strategy, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “If the UK is to keep its place at the table of the world’s biggest and most developed economies then it must diversify and improve its supply chain security. “Advanced...
Pharma Deal A Welcome Boost For UK
Reacting to news of a pharmaceuticals deal with the US, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “The original trade deal, agreed with the US in May, promised preferential outcomes on pharmaceuticals tariffs for the UK. We are pleased to see this has now...
Santa Steam Specials are ‘huge success’ at the Severn Valley Railway
The Severn Valley Railway welcomed hundreds of passengers to Kidderminster last weekend [29 and 30 November] to board the brand-new Santa Steam Specials. After spending time in the winter wonderland of the station concourse, families were whisked away on board a...
Triple heritage awards shortlisting for the Severn Valley Railway
The Severn Valley Railway is celebrating after being shortlisted in three categories of the Heritage Railway Association Annual Awards 2026, the biggest and most respected accolades in the heritage rail sector. The SVR has been named as a finalist for: • The Rolling...
Ballards LLP steers sale of Harrold Jones Services to Ventro Group
In the image L-R : James Maynell – Partner Ballards LLP, Hashim Hafeez – Associate Director Ballards LLP and Rich Grover – Corporate Finance Partner Ballards LLP Ballards LLP has advised Harrold Jones Services (HJS) on its sale to Ventro Group,...
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