AN ECONOMIC chamber that offers business advice and support to companies around Wiltshire has been named the biggest chamber in the UK.

Business West Chambers of Commerce again ranked first as the largest of the 53 accredited chambers in the UK - larger than its rivals in major economic centres like London, Manchester and Birmingham amongst others.

Managing director Phil Smith said: “Size matters. Business West's many assets include 200 talented colleagues, with many directly talking to businesses every day, as well as excellent data on the local business scene and leading-edge communication capabilities.

"These assets allow us to listen to and speak for more than 22,000 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.”

The not-for-profit company's chamber topped the tables for the number of expert business advisors and support staff it employs, according to a British Chambers of Commerce report.

In addition, the same report named Business West as the top-grossing and most profitable British chamber.

Over the last two years, Business West has boosted the south west region's economy by working with 22,000 businesses, creating 4,400 extra jobs and generating a whopping £650 million in additional export sales.

Its staff advise local businesses on everything from start-up funding and financial planning to intellectual property and overseas market entry.

As a trusted delivery partner for the Department for International Trade and Innovate UK, Business West offers a range of business support services that add to its solid financial position, including its export documentation service which experienced a record sales month in July.

One hundred percent of its 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.

The chamber expects the report's findings to be welcomed by the businesses and communities that it serves.