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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.
From Day One to Distinction: Ben’s Apprenticeship Journey
Just over a year ago, Ben joined the team here at B Smith Packaging as an apprentice — and he’s come a long way in a short space of time. We’re delighted to say he’s now completed his Customer Service apprenticeship with a distinction, which is the highest grade...
Latest Article
From Day One to Distinction: Ben’s Apprenticeship Journey
Just over a year ago, Ben joined the team here at B Smith Packaging as an apprentice — and he’s come a long way in a short space of time. We’re delighted to say he’s now completed his Customer Service apprenticeship with a distinction, which is the highest grade...
Member News
Marches HR continues growth with second team appointment
The Herefordshire-based, independent HR consultancy supporting small businesses and charities has welcomed Annette to the team as HR Advisor. Annette’s appointment builds on the business’ recent growth and reflects increasing demand for practical, personal HR support...
Dandelion Video Production’s What Do You Do? Podcast is Back for Season 2
The second season of Dandelion Video Production’s jobs and careers podcast “What Do You Do?” has launched this week. The podcast examines jobs most people don’t know anything about, and explores unique approaches on ones we think we do. Initially launched in January...
Patron & Strategic News
Law firm adds further Corporate expertise to Worcester team
Law firm mfg Solicitors has bolstered its Corporate legal team in Worcester with the appointment of a new solicitor. The Tything-based firm has appointed Andrew Johnson to the team, who will advise clients on a range of corporate-related matters including mergers and...
Calls For Change to Student Finance Payments
The President of Worcester Students’ Union has joined calls for changes to the way that maintenance loans are paid to students. Ronke Akintan said payments made to university students should be paid monthly to better align with the way wages are received and bills are...
Chamber News
Chamber Business Awards 2023 – Finalists Announced!
We are delighted to reveal the shortlisted finalists for the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2023! Sponsored by Herefordshire Council, the Awards celebrate firms across the two counties and are a fantastic way to raise awareness...
Chairs Report March 23
Planning for the future Following the challenges of recovering from the pandemic, inflation is now becoming the largest threat to business. We face continued challenges around labour shortages, supply chains, raw material availability and energy costs will drive price...
Our Latest Member
Introduction to Kev Thomas – Enterprise
My name is Kev Thomas from Enterprise. I represent the Business Rental department and work with businesses helping them to realise the business value in tackling ground transportation costs. Our ability to offer several types of products under one brand enables us to...
Introduction to Kev Thomas – Enterprise
My name is Kev Thomas from Enterprise. I represent the Business Rental department and work with businesses helping them to realise the business value in tackling ground transportation costs. Our ability to offer several types of products under one brand enables us to...
Policy News
Increased furlough contribution to test business resilience
This week employers who are claiming furlough pay for their workers now will have to pay 20% towards the subsidised wages as the Job Retention Scheme continues to gradually wind down. Figures published in July show the fewest number of people on furlough since the...
£7 million fund launched to support more flexible apprenticeship opportunities
Sectors including the creative, agriculture and construction industries can now bid for a share of a £7 million fund to support the creation of new flexible apprenticeships. Apprenticeships are at least 12 months long, so some sectors with flexible employment patterns...
Skills News
320 people attend Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards 2019 Final
28 of the county’s best apprentices, apprenticeship employers, careers leads, schools and training providers were celebrated in front of 320 people at Treetops Pavilion, West Midlands Safari Park on Thursday 14 November. The event ended with the announcement of the...
Fellowship awarded to popular local businessman and Chair of WLEP
As part of this year’s graduation ceremonies, Mark Stansfeld, local entrepreneur and Chair of the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (WLEP), was named a Fellow of the University of Worcester following his outstanding work and over 30 years’ experience in his...
Charity News
The BIG Worcester Doodle Needs Employees and Families to Get Involved!
Timeout and ONSIDE have joined forces with the Worcester Show team to create The Big Worcester Doodle – a unique piece of community art which is coming to life at the Worcester show on Sunday 13th August 2023. We’re looking for groups of...
Worcestershire Way Walkers raised thousands for hospice care
Walkers who took part in an annual 31 mile walk in soaring temperatures have raised more than £11,000 for a local charity. The 60 intrepid walkers strode out on a challenge to walk the whole of the Worcestershire Way in a day to raise funds for the care of St...
Industrial Strategy ‘An Important Milestone’
Responding to the publication of the Industrial Strategy, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s Industrial Strategy is an important milestone towards creating a competitive economy that is fit for the future, with...
BCC News
Industrial Strategy ‘An Important Milestone’
Responding to the publication of the Industrial Strategy, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s Industrial Strategy is an important milestone towards creating a competitive economy that is fit for the future, with...
Worcestershire News
Graduation Celebrations Mark the Achievements of More Than 3,000 Students
The University of Worcester will be celebrating the achievements of more than 3,000 students during a series of graduation ceremonies next month. The annual autumn graduations will see 12 ceremonies taking place in the beautiful, historic Worcester Cathedral from...
University of Worcester to Evaluate the 2023 Düsseldorf Invictus Games
A team of researchers from the University of Worcester has been commissioned by the Royal British Legion to undertake a comprehensive evaluation the 2023 Invictus Games. The project aims to provide the Royal British Legion with wide-ranging insights into the extent to...
Herefordshire News
Cost-of-Living Bulletin: Supplementary Monthly Monitoring Report November 2022
The November 2022 Monthly Monitoring Report has just been published. The monthly monitoring report is a supplementary report to the quarterly Cost-of-Living Bulletin and provides the latest data from the limited number of datasets that are updated on a monthly...
Beauty and the Beast Dementia Friendly Performance
This Christmas, audiences living with Dementia can enjoy a beast of a show in The Courtyard’s Dementia Friendly Performance of annual pantomime, Beauty and the Beast. After Beauty finds herself imprisoned by a mysterious beast in an enchanted castle, there is little...
All Latest News
Business relief after Government U-turns on day-one unfair dismissal rights
Employment lawyers have reacted positively to the Government’s U-turn on day-one unfair dismissal rights – but urged businesses to seek expert guidance to prepare for wide-ranging workplace reforms. Labour had made a controversial manifesto commitment to offer all...
University of Worcester Marks 20 Years of Pioneering Education and Advocacy to End Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence
The University of Worcester has marked two decades of ground breaking work in tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence through education, research, and advocacy. The milestone event brought together alumni of the University’s pioneering Master’s programme,...
Parents encouraged to spot signs and symptoms of childhood cancer to help early detection
A childhood cancer charity is encouraging parents to become more aware of the early signs and symptoms of cancer among children, after research showed low levels of recognition. With only three out of 10 parents feeling able to spot the signs and symptoms of childhood...
Why We Love Christmas Songs, and the Fascinating Fantasy Science of Christmas!
Why do the same Christmas songs return every year? And what would it actually take for reindeer to achieve flight? These questions will be answered in a free public talk at The Hive next week, hosted by experts from the University of Worcester. Lou Aimes-Hill,...
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...
Celebrating Excellence at the 2025 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards
The 2025 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards marked a significant milestone in the county’s ongoing commitment to developing talent, celebrating success, and championing the value of apprenticeships. Now in its eleventh year, the programme continues to grow in...
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