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.
Key Employment Law Updates: Winter 2025
Employment Rights Bill in “Ping Pong” Phase as Key Provisions Remain in Debate As winter 2025 approaches, the Employment Rights Act 2025 has yet to be finalised, with several headline provisions still under dispute following rejection by the House of Lords on 28...
Latest Article
Key Employment Law Updates: Winter 2025
Employment Rights Bill in “Ping Pong” Phase as Key Provisions Remain in Debate As winter 2025 approaches, the Employment Rights Act 2025 has yet to be finalised, with several headline provisions still under dispute following rejection by the House of Lords on 28...
Member News
Hazelton Mountford Welcomes Two New Apprentices Amid Exciting Growth
Hazelton Mountford is pleased to welcome Jumeirah and Emma as the company’s newest apprentices. Based at the Worcester office, they will gain hands-on experience across key areas of insurance and client services. Hazelton Mountford’s apprenticeship programme offers a...
Law firm lends helping hand for disabled people to become homeowners
A leading Worcestershire law firm is giving disabled people expert advice to get on the property ladder. The Government-backed HOLD (Home Ownership for People with Long-Term Disabilities) scheme is available to help disabled people become shared ownership homeowners....
Patron & Strategic News
University Experts Explain Why Jane Austen Still Has Us Hooked After 250 Years
As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of her birth, experts from the University of Worcester will explore our fascination with the author Jane Austen in a free event next month. The discussion, titled ‘Why are we obsessed with Jane Austen?’ will take place at The...
University of Worcester Open Day to Welcome Career Changers
People are invited to explore how higher education could reshape their future at the University of Worcester’s Open Day. The event, on Saturday November 29 welcomes anyone curious about university life. From young people preparing to leave school to adults considering...
Chamber News
The Quarterly Economic Survey for Q3 is now Live
The Quarterly Economic Survey is among the largest business surveys in the UK, making it a key resource for the government to conduct case studies and access up-to-date statistics on businesses across the UK. The Survey consists of questions on several topics,...
Worcestershire businesses urged to ‘power up’ productivity and plug skills gaps with Skills Bootcamps
Businesses across Worcestershire are being urged to take advantage of Skills Bootcamps – flexible training programmes designed to upskill staff, fill skills gaps, and support long-term growth. Funded by the Department for Education and managed locally by...
Our Latest Member
Welcome new Members – April
Warmest welcome to our newest Members: Abacus Nursery School ( Bromsgrove) Limited – Early Years Care and Education provider. Aspenify UK Limited – Aspenify offers a low-code digital platform that enables organisations to scale innovation, accelerate...
Welcome new Members – April
Warmest welcome to our newest Members: Abacus Nursery School ( Bromsgrove) Limited – Early Years Care and Education provider. Aspenify UK Limited – Aspenify offers a low-code digital platform that enables organisations to scale innovation, accelerate...
Policy News
Small Business Plan ‘Important Step Forward’
Responding to the launch of the Government’s Small Business Plan, Alex Veitch, Director of Policy at the BCC, said: “This is a much-needed step forward in recognition and support for SMEs, which are the backbone of the UK economy. Late payments, access to finance and...
Government Must Harness Retail Investor Optimism
Over half of retail investors (53%) are optimistic about their investments over the next twelve months (compared to 42% in May) 40% of investors expect to increase the amount of money they invest over the next twelve months Younger investors are most confident, with...
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
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity Recognises Local Heroes and raises £70,000 at Annual Awards
Midlands Air Ambulance Charity celebrated its annual Saving Lives Charity Ball on Thursday 25th September, honouring inspirational individuals, fundraisers, volunteers, and corporate partners who make its lifesaving missions possible. The black-tie event, hosted by...
Gift Aid Fuels 105 life-saving missions for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity
To mark Gift Aid Awareness Day on Thursday 9th October, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is showcasing the incredible impact of a simple tick box exercise, and how it can save lives. Thanks to the generosity of its supporters and the power of Gift Aid, the...
Small Firms Need More Help to Unlock Trade Opportunities
New data from the British Chambers of Commerce Insights Unit, published at the start of International Trade Week, shows a widening divide between the fortunes of different sized UK exporters. The Trade Confidence Outlook results underline the need for urgent...
BCC News
Small Firms Need More Help to Unlock Trade Opportunities
New data from the British Chambers of Commerce Insights Unit, published at the start of International Trade Week, shows a widening divide between the fortunes of different sized UK exporters. The Trade Confidence Outlook results underline the need for urgent...
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
College Launches Unique Partner Programme for Business
Halesowen College is delighted to announce the launch of its PowerPartner Programme, an innovative initiative designed to strengthen the collaboration between education and industry. This exciting programme provides a unique platform for businesses and organisations...
Harriers Foundation donate kit to Aid through Football
Harriers Foundation has joined clubs across the country in donating kit to The RAF FA’s Aid through Football initiative. The RAF Football Association (RAF FA) Taking Football to Africa and Beyond Charitable Appeal, Aid through Football sees donated football kit...
Worcester Criminologist Investigates Hate Crime Motivations in New Book Chapter
What goes through the mind of someone who is about to attack a religious space? What led them there, and how can we stop it? Those are just some of the questions an Islamophobia expert from Worcester takes on in his contribution to a new book analysing the mindset of...
Disruption Doesn’t Book a Slot in Your Diary: How to Communicate with Staff When It Strikes
In my blog, I explore practical ways to lead your team through disruption, build trust, reduce uncertainty, and guide your people with clear, confident communication. If the last year has taught us anything, it’s that disruption never shows up at a good time. And when...
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...
The Quarterly Economic Survey (QES 4) Is Now Live – Have Your Say!
The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is calling on local businesses to share their insights in the latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES 4). This vital survey helps the Chamber build a clear picture of the current business climate across the two...
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