Gateshead's composite score of 1,000 places it level with the UK benchmark, ranking 98th of 361 local authorities. Its strongest result is on Scaling, where it sits in the top 20% nationally, 41 points above the UK. Investment is the area furthest below the benchmark, at 35 points below.
The composite score is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
Each score is an average across the authority's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a place with 9,318 active companies can be compared fairly against much larger or smaller authorities, because size alone does not inflate the score.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Gateshead's composite of 1,000 means its companies perform in line with that national average. The likely range of 984 to 1,016 shows how much the score could move with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
North East
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 Gateshead's composite score of 1,000 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
989
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−11 points against the UK · Likely range 967–1,011 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, presence in innovative sectors, and IS-8 sector classification. Gateshead ranks 127th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 989, which is 11 points below the UK benchmark, placing it in the top half nationally but with some ground to close on more innovation-active areas.
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
1,041
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+41 points against the UK · Likely range 1,014–1,068 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator attendance. At 1,041 and ranked 38th of 360 authorities, Gateshead is its strongest pillar: companies here are adding staff and demonstrating high-growth characteristics at a rate 41 points above the UK average, outperforming 89.4% of authorities.
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
965
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−35 points against the UK · Likely range 938–992 · 30% of the composite
Investment measures whether companies have raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised, and whether a deal was a company's first ever equity raise. Gateshead scores 965 on this pillar, 35 points below the UK benchmark and ranked 113th of 360, indicating that equity activity among local companies is somewhat below the national average.
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
1,021
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+21 points against the UK · Likely range 1,002–1,040 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Gateshead scores 1,021 on ESG, 21 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 151st of 361 authorities, suggesting a modest but real edge over the national average on these measures.
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 Tyne and Wear
The chart below compares Gateshead's composite score with its neighbours across Tyne and Wear.
Gateshead scores 1,000 on the UK Local Growth Index composite, level with the UK benchmark of 1,000. It ranks 98th of 361 local authorities.
How does Gateshead compare with the rest of Tyne and Wear?
Gateshead ranks 2nd of the 5 authorities in Tyne and Wear, scoring 11 points below the county average of 1,011. Newcastle upon Tyne leads the county with a score of 1,059.
Which pillar is Gateshead strongest on?
Scaling is Gateshead's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,041, ranking 38th of 360 authorities and placing it in the top 20% nationally.
How does Gateshead rank in the North East region?
Gateshead ranks 2nd of 12 authorities in the North East, scoring 6 points above the regional average of 994.
What does the Local Growth Index measure?
The index measures the characteristics of a local authority's business economy across four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. It reflects how active local companies are on those measures, not the size of the local economy.
How many companies does Gateshead's score cover?
The score is based on 9,318 active companies in Gateshead, with corporate groups counted once rather than as each of their registered entities.
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.
