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.
Unemployment Up As Wages Still Outpace Inflation
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: “There is little comfort in this data for businesses or the government. Employers are being squeezed...
Latest Article
Unemployment Up As Wages Still Outpace Inflation
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: “There is little comfort in this data for businesses or the government. Employers are being squeezed...
Member News
Atwell International has been nominated for Elevator World’s Product of the Year
We’re so proud that Atwell International has been nominated for Elevator World’s Product of the Year, and public voting is still open! Cast your vote now: https://elevatorworld.com/contests/product-of-the-year/ If you haven’t had a chance to vote yet, we’d really...
Top level changes for West Midland RFCA leadership team
A new leadership team is bringing fresh perspectives and expertise to West Midland Reserve Forces & Cadets Association (West Midland RFCA) after the election of a new Chair and the appointment of a new Chief Executive. Over the summer, Major General John Crackett...
Patron & Strategic News
PAYROLLING BENEFITS IN KIND
From April 2027, all Benefits in Kind (BiKs) will need to be payrolled in real time. In our latest article, we break down what the new rules mean, how to manage the transitional year, and why early action is essential to avoid disruption later. Our advice is don’t...
Hazelton Mountford raises over £5000 with charity steps challenge
Worcester based insurance brokers Hazelton Mountford are pleased to share the results of their June Charity Challenge, which saw staff walk an impressive 10.5 million steps and raise over £ 5,000 for charity. Throughout June, colleagues “stepped into...
Chamber News
Chair’s Report
I have just read a piece of research by Potter Spaces and Savills, highlighted by Sam Merrett – Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce’s Policy Executive – that I feel very nicely sums up the lack of smaller to medium size industrial spaces...
NEW MODEL INSTITUTE FOR TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING (NMITE) ANNOUNCES NEW CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER
NMITE has confirmed the appointment of David Oloke as its new Chief Academic Officer and first Professor of Civil Engineering. David will take up the role and the leadership of NMITE’s academic mission in February 2024, an exciting year for NMITE as it will see its...
Our Latest Member
Meet our new members – National Business Register (NBR)
National Business Register (NBR), was founded in 1984 aiming to assist businesses with name protection, company formation, registered design, and trade mark services. Having been acquired in 2020, there is now a team of 7 assisting businesses both locally and...
Meet our new members – National Business Register (NBR)
National Business Register (NBR), was founded in 1984 aiming to assist businesses with name protection, company formation, registered design, and trade mark services. Having been acquired in 2020, there is now a team of 7 assisting businesses both locally and...
Policy News
Quarterly Economic Survey Report for Q1 2023 released
Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce has released the Quarterly Economic Survey Report for Q1 2023, sponsored by Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership. The latest survey was completed by 5258 businesses across...
Quarterly Recruitment Outlook: No sign of hiring difficulties easing
The latest Quarterly Recruitment Outlook (QRO), a survey of more than 5,000 UK firms of all sectors and sizes by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) reveals businesses are still facing record high difficulties in hiring new staff. The fieldwork for the study was...
Skills News
FAUN-Zoeller hosts Kidderminster College students
FAUN-Zoeller UK Ltd, headquarters based in Redditch, invited students from Kidderminster College on Monday. The students and teachers had a tour of the facilities and a chance to learn about the Kirchhoff group. The main reason behind the visit was to launch a...
Institute for Fiscal Studies release report investigating employment patterns for over 50’s
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) have released a new report entitled “Changing patterns of work at older ages”. In the report, they provide fresh evidence on the nature of paid work at older ages, how employment patterns differ for people in different...
Charity News
Countdown to this year’s annual Elgar Festival
Organisers of the annual celebration of the life and music of Worcestershire’s most famous composer are counting down the days until the event. The Elgar Festival’s 2024 event will take place between Monday 27 May and Sunday 2 June. The Festival – which was launched...
The Courtyard Announces Ambitious LED Lighting Project to Enhance the Performance Spaces and Substantially Reduce its Carbon Footprint
The Courtyard is thrilled to unveil its latest initiative to bring vibrant low-energy lighting to its performance spaces through the installation of 140, eco-friendly LED lights. This innovative lighting project promises endless possibilities for creative expression,...
Procurement Act Must Quickly Deliver for SMEs
Only 20% of direct public sector procurement spend was with SMEs in 2024 – a similar figure to 2023 (19%) £45.4 billion was spent by Government directly with SMEs last year, up from £42.4 billion in 2023 Median spend per SME remained at £31,000 in 2024 Local...
BCC News
Procurement Act Must Quickly Deliver for SMEs
Only 20% of direct public sector procurement spend was with SMEs in 2024 – a similar figure to 2023 (19%) £45.4 billion was spent by Government directly with SMEs last year, up from £42.4 billion in 2023 Median spend per SME remained at £31,000 in 2024 Local...
Worcestershire News
Worcestershire Health and Safety Group
At our last meeting of the WHSG on the 13th March 2024, at Perdiswell Young People’s Leisure Centre, we had the pleasure of Richard and Tim Prestage of Tim Prestage Ltd., who delivered an interesting and comprehensive presentation on conducting a Dangerous...
Independent Bewdley-Based Distillery- Wildjac Now Onboard easyJet Flights in Innovative Sustainable Alumini® Bottles
Wildjac, the sustainability-focused and independent spirits brand based in the heart of the Wyre Forest, will serve up its signature Cherry Wood Spiced Rum in innovative 100% aluminium recycled Alumini® 5cl Bottles on easyJet flights departing from Bristol and London...
Herefordshire News
Free Seminar for Business Owners at the Shell Store Hereford.
Join Peninsula at The Shell Store in Hereford on the 4th of July for an exclusive, free seminar designed specifically for business owners. In today’s ever-changing world, staying up to date with employment law and health & safety regulations is crucial. This...
Herefordshire Care Home Resident Reunites with Beloved Horse at Kington Court
Kington Court Nursing Home in Herefordshire witnessed a heart-warming reunion as resident, Lady Jennifer Evans-Bevan, was visited by her beloved horse, ‘Cloudy’ – all made possible by the efforts of Harwood Eventing in Herefordshire. Jennifer’s eyes lit up when...
All Latest News
Separated parents given legal advice to navigate summer holidays without conflict
Divorced and separated parents are being given advice to navigate the summer holidays without conflict, including getting familiar with their legal rights and steps to take with an ex-partner before travelling abroad. Family law expert Sian Kenkre, a partner within...
Worcestershire County Cricket Foundations Street Sixes was raining with joy
On Tuesday the 15th of July, the Worcestershire County Cricket Foundation hosted its annual Street Sixes which took place on Cathedral Square and down the High Street, despite the weather the fun could not be dampened. The event was put in place to raise money for the...
PAYROLLING BENEFITS IN KIND
From April 2027, all Benefits in Kind (BiKs) will need to be payrolled in real time. In our latest article, we break down what the new rules mean, how to manage the transitional year, and why early action is essential to avoid disruption later. Our advice is don’t...
The Limelite Lounge!
We’re really excited to be launching a brand-new series of live, relaxed, expert-led sessions, designed to bring you the latest insights and on-the-ground experience that’s shaping people management practices! Please welcome – The Limelite Lounge! These sessions...
6 Factors To Consider When Choosing A Computer Monitor for Your Business
Are you thinking about how to choose a computer monitor for your business? If we were to ask you what factors would go into making that decision, your response might be “I dunno”, or “Whatever’s cheapest, I guess”. After all, it’s...
Why Choose Managed IT Services?
To be a small business owner is to be a true autodidact. Nothing excites entrepreneurs more than rolling up their sleeves, learning new skills, and engaging in creative problem-solving. While this can-do attitude can serve them very well in business, there are times...
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