WORCESTERSHIRE’S largest businesses contributed £12.4bn to the West Midlands economy and created an extra 6,000 jobs in the last year, according to a new report from accountancy and business advisory firm BDO.

The BDO West Midlands Report 2016, which looks at how West Midlands firms are doing and what the West Midlands Combined Authority needs to do to make the region more successful, found that 21 of the region’s largest 200 businesses are based in Worcestershire. Combined, these generate £12.4bn in revenues; up from £11.5bn last year. This accounts for just under a tenth of the top 200’s £130.5bn total. In particular the increase in turnover of the new entrants for Worcestershire into the top 200 was on average 43 per cent.

Gary Rouse, director at BDO, which is based in Birmingham, said: "The financial success of these businesses, combined with the impact they have had on employment, should be welcomed by all. They have built a sustainable foundation for growth over the last few years and are continuing to forge ahead with their growth ambitions. With careful planning, we can look forward to regional prosperity for many years to come, however the government must ensure business aspirations are not stymied by red tape, poor infrastructure or unnecessarily complex tax systems."

The good news for the Worcestershire economy is not only down to the increased turnover the largest businesses are experiencing but these businesses now employ more than 76,000 people within the county, with productivity per employee of £50,000, the third highest out of the seven West Midlands regions considered. The BDO West Midlands Report 2016 compiles the latest published accounts from the West Midlands’ largest 200 businesses based on revenues, and serves to create a barometer of economic health for the region.