Helmsman's business number (3)
I believe the answer is:
cox
'helmsman's' is the definition.
(cox is a kind of helmsman)
'business number' is the wordplay.
'business' becomes 'co'.
'number' becomes 'x' (X is an example).
'co'+'x'='COX'
(Other definitions for cox that I've seen before include "Passenger vehicle" , "Boat's steerer" , "Helmsman" , "Member of rowing crew" , "Steersman" .)