Business Direction Online
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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.
Limelite HR: Lisa to Join as Guest Speaker and Workshop Facilitator
A bit of news to share. On Wednesday 8th July, Lisa is speaking at the Keep Herefordshire & Worcestershire Working Conference at The Abbey Hotel in Malvern, and she’s also hosting a workshop on returning to work. We’re really looking forward to it....
Latest Article
Limelite HR: Lisa to Join as Guest Speaker and Workshop Facilitator
A bit of news to share. On Wednesday 8th July, Lisa is speaking at the Keep Herefordshire & Worcestershire Working Conference at The Abbey Hotel in Malvern, and she’s also hosting a workshop on returning to work. We’re really looking forward to it....
Member News
Worcestershire based speaker coach celebrates shortlisting success at The Speaker Awards 2026
Dave James, a trailblazing speaker coach from Bromsgrove, has earned a coveted spot as a shortlistee for the TEDx of the Year category at the Speaker Awards 2026. Professional speakers play an essential role in shaping ideas, shifting perspectives, and driving...
Ballards raises £10,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association
Worcester based Ballards, together with sister companies Four Squared Recruitment, Cubed Tax and CreativeFolks, has raised £10,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND Association), the group’s chosen charity for 2025/26. The partnership was personal...
Patron & Strategic News
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...
You Do Better Agency strengthens Chamber commitment with Strategic Membership
You Do Better Marketing & PR Agency has upgraded to Strategic Membership, building on over a decade of involvement with the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of commerce and strengthening its ability to deliver more for clients. CAPTION: Ruby Edwards,...
Chamber News
Have Your Say: Herefordshire Council Budget 2026/27 Consultation
Herefordshire Council is inviting residents and businesses to take part in its Budget 2026/27 consultation, giving you the opportunity to have a direct say in how council services are prioritised and where savings may need to be made. The consultation runs from...
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...
Our Latest Member
Meet OCM – Your local experts in sustainable IT asset management
As a proud new member of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, OCM is excited to introduce their team to fellow businesses across the region. Based in Pershore, Jennine, Richard and co have been delivering secure, sustainable and reliable IT...
Meet OCM – Your local experts in sustainable IT asset management
As a proud new member of the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, OCM is excited to introduce their team to fellow businesses across the region. Based in Pershore, Jennine, Richard and co have been delivering secure, sustainable and reliable IT...
Policy News
Business Rates Anxiety Hits Record High
A third of firms (34%) are worried about their business rates, the highest level since 2017. Concern is highest in the hospitality sector (49%), with manufacturing (44%) and logistics (43%) close behind. In 2024, 27% of firms said they had scaled back or...
Few Signs For Optimism In Labour Market
Reacting to the latest labour market data from the ONS published this morning, Patrick Milnes, Head of People and Work Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The latest data indicate businesses are still not feeling confident about taking on more staff or...
Skills News
Worcester Based Recruitment Firm Sees 60% Growth in Roles
Worcester-based Four Squared Recruitment has achieved a 60% growth in retained recruitment work throughout 2024, providing a much-needed boost to the slowing recruitment market. By prioritising a retained search model and committing to partnerships that go beyond...
Prime Mix Marketing Ltd Wins Prestigious Marketing Consultancy of the Year Award
Prime Mix Marketing Ltd is proud to announce that it has been named the winner of the Marketing Consultancy of the Year award in the Corporate LiveWire Global Awards 2024/25. This prestigious recognition comes after a rigorous selection process, in which over 90,000...
Charity News
Help Us Build the Future at Malvern Cube
Since opening in 2012, the Cube has become a vibrant community hub, rescued from closure by local people. Today, it’s a welcoming space with a busy café at its heart, hosting events, arts, and entertainment, while offering meeting and performance spaces for hire. It...
Worcester recruitment firm spreads Easter cheer to local foodbank
A Worcester recruitment firm has helped bring smiles to local children this Easter by donating over to 200 chocolate Easter eggs to the city’s foodbank. It’s the third consecutive year that kind-hearted staff from Diglis-based Pineapple Recruitment have donated the...
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...
BCC News
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...
Worcestershire News
Will writing drive to raise funds for Worcestershire Community Foundation
Specialist legal teams at two Worcester law firms are throwing their support behind the Worcestershire Community Foundation through a month-long Will writing initiative. Throughout June, solicitors at City firms Bradley Haynes and HCR Law will be offering to write...
Severn Valley Railway launches short film to celebrate its 60th anniversary
The Severn Valley Railway has released a short promotional film, celebrating its 60th anniversary and marking its involvement with the Railway 200 celebrations that are also taking place in 2025-26. The film features a range of volunteers from across the railway,...
Herefordshire News
Unlocking Marketing Potential with Mailchimp and Salesforce
At Coacto, we specialise in implementing solutions that empower businesses to streamline processes and maximise the power of Salesforce. As a Salesforce implementation partner, we bring together best-in-class tools to enhance customer relationship management (CRM) and...
New Chief Executive aims to Create a Greener Future for Communities in Warwickshire and Worcestershire
The new Chief Executive of a leading woodland creation and conservation charity which is planting one of the largest forests in England is set to be at the forefront of the fight against climate change in communities across Warwickshire and Worcestershire. The Heart...
All Latest News
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...
EchoGuide Theatre: A Herefordshire Tool Ready for Rehearsal Rooms Anywhere
In a decade of teaching, I supported students preparing for speaking assessments. Most clung to the wall. Heads down, sleeves pulled over their hands to shrink away. Their voices came out tiny and inconsistent, stuttering and stammering. Only one student years seemed...
Steel Tariffs Risk Serious Damage To UK Manufacturers
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has warned that changes to UK steel quotas and tariffs could add millions of pounds to manufacturers’ costs. In a letter to the Business Secretary, Peter Kyle, the BCC said the proposed regime risks creating ‘real financial and...
Kaleidoscope Plus Group Launches Free Ebook to Help Young People Cope with Exam Stress
Mental health and wellbeing charity Kaleidoscope Plus Group has launched a new free digital resource designed to help young people manage stress and anxiety during exam season. The ebook Dealing with Exam Stress has been created to support teenagers and young adults...
Turning health & safety into everyday conversations: why it matters more than you might think
Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time working with health and safety teams. I’ve sat through briefings, workshops and leadership sessions, listening to experts discuss risk, compliance and prevention. And I’ve sometimes come away thinking: “We’re focusing on what...
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