BOURNEMOUTH businesses have helped fuel an increase in revenue among the central south's top 150 companies.

Not only that, they also employ more female directors than the national average.

According to audit, accounting and business services firm BDO Stoy Hayward, 21 Bournemouth businesses contribute 13 per cent of the total turnover.

And while generally the top 150 businesses have a very low number of women directors - fewer than six per cent - in Bournemouth the figure is 11 per cent.

Of the 56 female directors, six are Bournemouth-based.

These findings are revealed in the first edition of BDO Stoy Hayward's Central South Report.

The figures aggregate the accounts of the central south region's leading businesses, creating an unrivalled barometer of economic health for the region.

Some of the key Bournemouth companies included in the report are retirement home builder McCarthy & Stone Ltd, friendly society LV, the owners of 17 vehicle franchises such as Westover Jaguar, Westover Holdings Ltd, over-50s insurer Rias Ltd, retailer Beale Plc and Portman Building Society, which has since been taken over by Nationwide.

The central south's top 150 companies' net investment of £3.8bn, along with buoyant trading conditions, helped fuel a 36 per cent increase in revenue to £63.3bn during 2007.

Although operating profits increased from £3bn in 2006 to £4bn in 2007, net profits decreased by eight per cent due to rising costs, a substantially higher tax rate and interest costs virtually doubling on steeply increased debt.

The companies featured in the report employ over 300,000 people worldwide.

Lead partner from BDO Stoy Hayward's south coast headquarters Kim Hayward said: "It's great to see such a strong growth in revenue but a little disappointing that this wasn't carried through to the bottom line.

"This was due in part to debt costs associated with the high level of acquisition activity that has taken place across the region."

Spokesman for Nationwide Building Society Steve Cowdry said: "We're absolutely delighted that the former Portman Building Society has been recognised in this way.

"As a major financial services provider, and employer, in the area, this sort of accolade is extremely important, and pleasing, to us.

"And now, as Nationwide Building Society, we will strive to ensure that we continue to be recognised as one of the best organisations both in the area and, of course, nationally."

McCarthy & Stone spokesman Paul Davis said: "We're very pleased to be included in this list but not too surprised.

"We're in one of the fastest growing sectors because of the demographics of Britain.

"Our planning director Gary Day was at Number 10 recently to take part in a strategy regarding housing for the elderly, which Prime Minister Gordon Brown considers important."

He added: "One of our regional managing directors is a woman.

"Lorena Brown is responsible for the south west region."

Communications director at LV Nigel Snell said: "We're delighted to be featured among the top companies in the south central region, and have earned that position through significant growth and development.

"This has been our HQ town for over 10 years and although we also have offices and call centres in several other parts of the UK, Bournemouth remains a key launch pad for our future prosperity."

RIAS managing director Janet Connor: "RIAS is proud to be recognised as one of the central south's highest performing companies by BDO Stoy Hayward.

"We have ambitious plans to continue this success, which is attributable to the dedication, skill and hard work of our 700 colleagues based in Bournemouth."

Beale Plc's sales and merchandising director Barbara King said: "Beales of Bournemouth is very happy to be nominated in the top 21 businesses in Bournemouth."