Argyll and Bute scores 978 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 169th of 361 UK local authorities and 22 points below the UK benchmark. Its ESG pillar stands out sharply, ranking 6th in the UK, while investment is the area where its companies trail the UK most clearly.
Each score is an average across the area's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a smaller authority like Argyll and Bute can be compared fairly with much larger ones: it reflects how active local companies are, not simply how large the local economy is.
A score of 1,000 represents the UK as a whole, so Argyll and Bute's composite of 978 sits just below that national benchmark. The likely range of 958 to 998 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
Scotland
Each dot shows the pillar score on a scale where the UK as a whole scores 1,000, marked by the line. The paler band is the likely range. The composite weights Innovation, Scaling and Investment 30% each and ESG 10%.
How Argyll and Bute's composite score of 978 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
942
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−58 points against the UK · Likely range 914–970 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector membership. Argyll and Bute ranks 288th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 942, which is 58 points below the UK benchmark, and outperforms only around a fifth of authorities nationally.
Tagged with any industry or buzzword on a curated list of innovative sectors, for example chips, biotechnology, quantum, AI, data, SaaS, FinTech and CleanTech. About 2.5% of companies.
Tagged with any of the eight IS-8 sectors: advanced manufacturing, clean energy, creative industries, digital and technologies, financial services, life sciences, professional and business services, and defence. About 18% of companies.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Scaling
1,010
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+10 points against the UK · Likely range 969–1,051 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar measures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator attendance. At 1,010, Argyll and Bute sits 10 points above the UK benchmark and ranks 111th of 360 authorities, outperforming more than two thirds of the country on this dimension.
Annualised three-year employee growth rate over the latest four years of accounts, including group accounts, for companies with five or more employees at the start (capped). All other companies count as zero.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Investment
910
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−90 points against the UK · Likely range 872–948 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers whether companies have raised equity in the last five years, the amount raised and whether they are first-time raisers. This is the weakest pillar for Argyll and Bute: a score of 910 places it 323rd of 360 authorities, 90 points below the UK benchmark, with only around one in ten authorities scoring lower.
Whether the company's first equity deal ever was in the last five years. A first-time raiser always counts as an equity raiser too.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
ESG
1,193
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+193 points against the UK · Likely range 1,149–1,237 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Argyll and Bute ranks 6th of 361 authorities here, scoring 1,193, which is 193 points above the UK benchmark and places it in the top 2% nationally.
Is limited by guarantee without share capital, a rough indicator of non-profit status.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Compared to Scotland
The chart below places Argyll and Bute's composite score alongside its Scottish neighbours, where it ranks 15th of 32 authorities with a score 14 points below the Scottish average of 992.
What is Argyll and Bute's Local Growth Index score?
Argyll and Bute scores 978 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 169th of 361 local authorities and 22 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Argyll and Bute compare with the rest of Scotland?
Among Scotland's 32 local authorities, Argyll and Bute ranks 15th with a score 14 points below the Scottish average of 992.
Which pillar is strongest for Argyll and Bute?
ESG is the strongest pillar, with a score of 1,193, ranking 6th of 361 UK authorities and 193 points above the UK benchmark.
Where does Argyll and Bute rank on investment?
Investment is the weakest pillar, with Argyll and Bute ranking 323rd of 360 authorities at 90 points below the UK benchmark.
How many companies are counted in Argyll and Bute's score?
The index covers 3,505 active companies in Argyll and Bute, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the likely range mean for Argyll and Bute's score?
The likely range of 958 to 998 shows how much the composite score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. Scores are only published when this range is narrow enough to rely on.
Explore the data behind the index
Every score on this page is built from real, named company activity, patent filings, fundraisings, spinouts and scaleups. Book a call to see the data behind any authority's score, and how Beauhurst can support your work.
