The business organisation charged with looking after the interests of companies county-wide has revealed its latest figures.

That's not exactly its latest turnover or profits at Business West - which remains a close guarded secret due to section 480 of the Companies Act 2006 - but how many businesses it supports on its patch.

It supports tens of thousands of businesses creating 4,400 extra jobs and generating £650 million in additional export sales - not to mention 200 staff of its own - makes it the Britain's biggest chamber of commerce.

And its has decided to shout about it because its efforts amassing such expertise and putting it to good use has been recognised in a British Chambers of Commerce report. 

Phil Smith, managing director of Business West (pictured above, at the back with his arm aloft), which has its registered offices in Bristol and is represented in Gloucestershire by Ian Mean, said: "Size matters! Business West assets, including 200 talented colleagues, many directly talking to business every day, excellent data on the local business scene and leading-edge communication capabilities, allow us to listen to and speak for over 24,000 local businesses.

"The more scale and resources we have the better we can achieve our goal of helping our region's businesses go further, faster."

Of the 53 accredited chambers across the UK, Business West Chambers of Commerce is ranked first for the number of expert business advisors and support staff it employs, surpassing those attained by its rivals located in the major economic centres of London, Manchester and Birmingham.

Just in case you were worried about those aforementioned profits, 100 per cent of Business West's annual profits are reinvested back into the business to support activities that promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth or to fund cultural and charitable causes such as Bristol Festival of Ideas and Quartet Community Foundation.