Lancaster ranks 46th of 361 UK local authorities, with a composite score 25 points above the UK benchmark. Its strongest performance is in Innovation, where it places 21st nationally, and ESG is close behind at 25th. Investment is the area where Lancaster sits below the UK benchmark, at 169th.
Lancaster's composite score is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
Each score is averaged across the area's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a smaller authority with highly active companies can score above a larger one, making this a fair comparison across authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Lancaster's composite of 1,025 places it modestly ahead of the national average. The likely range for this score is 1,001 to 1,049, which shows how much the figure could move with a slightly different mix of companies. A score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
North West
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 Lancaster's composite score of 1,025 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,079
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+79 points against the UK · Likely range 1,036–1,122 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, activity in innovative sectors and presence in IS-8 sectors. Lancaster ranks 21st of 361 authorities on this pillar, with a score 79 points above the UK benchmark, placing it in the top 10% nationally. That result puts Lancaster ahead of 94.2% of all authorities on innovation.
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
1,020
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+20 points against the UK · Likely range 988–1,052 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are scaleups, their headcount growth and whether they have attended an accelerator. Lancaster ranks 75th of 360 on this pillar, scoring 20 points above the UK benchmark and sitting within the top 25% of authorities. Its companies are adding staff at a pace modestly ahead of the national average.
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
948
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−52 points against the UK · Likely range 915–981 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the value of equity raised and first-time raisers, all within the last five years. At 169th of 360 and 52 points below the UK benchmark, this is Lancaster's weakest pillar and the main drag on its composite score. Just over half of all authorities score below it here, indicating Lancaster's companies raise equity at a rate close to, but below, the national level.
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
1,116
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+116 points against the UK · Likely range 1,082–1,150 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals and a not-for-profit proxy. Lancaster ranks 25th of 361 on this pillar, with a score 116 points above the UK benchmark, placing it in the top 10% nationally. That strong result reflects meaningful activity across environmental and social measures among Lancaster's companies.
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 Lancashire
The chart below sets Lancaster's composite score against its neighbours in Lancashire, where it ranks 1st of 14 authorities, 65 points above the county score of 960.
Lancaster has a composite score of 1,025, which is 25 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000. It ranks 46th of 361 local authorities nationally.
How does Lancaster compare to the rest of Lancashire?
Lancaster ranks 1st of 14 authorities in Lancashire, scoring 65 points above the county average of 960. The next-highest authority in the county is West Lancashire, with a score of 976.
How does Lancaster compare to the North West region?
Lancaster ranks 2nd of 35 authorities in the North West, scoring 52 points above the regional average of 973.
What is Lancaster's strongest pillar on the Local Growth Index?
Innovation is Lancaster's strongest pillar, with a score 79 points above the UK benchmark and a national rank of 21st out of 361 authorities, placing it in the top 10%.
Where does Lancaster score below the UK average?
Investment is the only pillar where Lancaster scores below the UK benchmark, sitting 52 points below at rank 169 of 360. This covers equity raised and the proportion of companies raising equity in the last five years.
How many companies are counted in Lancaster's score?
The index covers 5,957 active companies in Lancaster, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate 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.
