Advantage West Midlands
RDAs were created by the UK Government to drive sustainable economic development and social and physical regeneration through a business-led approach.Operating at arm's length from government, RDAs had business-led Boards that were appointed by the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.Advantage West Midlands was established by the UK Government (Labour administration: 1997 – 2010) under the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998.Responsibility for economic development in England would pass to successor bodies, including Government departments, other national agencies and newly created Local enterprise partnerships.The West Midlands comprises the counties of Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire; the unitary authorities of Herefordshire, Stoke-on-Trent and Telford and Wrekin; and the seven metropolitan districts of Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.