Lincoln scores 974 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 191st of 361 local authorities and 26 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest pillar is Innovation, where it sits closest to the national benchmark, while Scaling is the area where its companies lag furthest behind. On ESG it edges above the UK average, a relative bright spot in an otherwise below-benchmark picture.
Each score is averaged across a local authority's companies, which means a smaller authority with highly active businesses can outscore a much larger one. That makes it a fair basis for comparing places of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Lincoln's 974 places it modestly below that national baseline. The likely range of 956 to 992 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.
East Midlands
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 Lincoln's composite score of 974 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
992
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−8 points against the UK · Likely range 964–1,020 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, presence in innovative sectors and IS-8 sector tagging. Lincoln ranks 124th of 361 authorities on this pillar, with a score of 992, just 8 points below the UK benchmark, and outperforms 65.7% of all authorities. That places it in a solid mid-table position nationally and suggests its companies have reasonable representation across the innovation signals the index tracks.
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
966
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−34 points against the UK · Likely range 935–997 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar captures whether companies meet the 20% scaleup threshold, their three-year headcount growth rate and accelerator participation. At 966, Lincoln ranks 300th of 360 authorities on Scaling, 34 points below the UK benchmark and outperforming only 16.7% of authorities. This is the area where Lincoln's companies are most clearly below the national average, pointing to limited rapid employment growth among local businesses.
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 912–984 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the value of equity raised and first-time equity raisers, all over the last five years. Lincoln's score of 948 places it 166th of 360 authorities, 52 points below the UK benchmark, and it outperforms 53.9% of authorities. That positions it roughly in the middle of the national distribution, though still below the UK average on the equity activity its companies show.
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
1,023
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+23 points against the UK · Likely range 995–1,051 · 10% of the composite
ESG reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Lincoln's ESG score of 1,023 is the one pillar where it exceeds the UK benchmark, sitting 23 points above it and ranking 145th of 361 authorities. It outperforms 59.8% of authorities on this measure, indicating that Lincoln's companies show above-average engagement with environmental and social signals relative to peers 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 Lincolnshire
The chart below places Lincoln's composite score alongside its Lincolnshire neighbours, where it ranks 3rd of 9 authorities in the county and sits 19 points above the county average of 955.
What is Lincoln's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Lincoln scores 974, placing it 191st of 361 local authorities. That is 26 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Lincoln compare to other authorities in Lincolnshire?
Lincoln ranks 3rd of 9 authorities in Lincolnshire and scores 19 points above the county average of 955.
How does Lincoln compare to the East Midlands region?
Lincoln ranks 17th of 35 authorities in the East Midlands and scores 2 points above the regional average of 972.
Which pillar is Lincoln's strongest?
Innovation is Lincoln's highest-scoring pillar at 992, just 8 points below the UK benchmark. Lincoln ranks 124th of 361 authorities on Innovation and outperforms 65.7% of all authorities.
Where does Lincoln rank on Scaling?
Scaling is Lincoln's weakest pillar. It ranks 300th of 360 authorities, with a score of 966, which is 34 points below the UK benchmark, and it outperforms only 16.7% of authorities.
What does the likely range on Lincoln's score mean?
The likely range of 956 to 992 shows how much Lincoln's score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. Scores are only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on, and Lincoln's composite meets that threshold.
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.
