Lisburn and Castlereagh scores 1,015 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 65th of 361 local authorities and 15 points above the UK benchmark. Its standout result is on Scaling, where it ranks 16th nationally. Investment is the area where it trails the UK average.
Each score is an average across the authority'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 on the index, so Lisburn and Castlereagh's composite of 1,015 places it just ahead of the national benchmark. Every score comes with a likely range showing how much it could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on, and for Lisburn and Castlereagh the composite range runs from 993 to 1,037.
Northern Ireland
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 Lisburn and Castlereagh's composite score of 1,015 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,015
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+15 points against the UK · Likely range 983–1,047 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags. Lisburn and Castlereagh scores 1,015 on this pillar, 15 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 78th of 361 authorities and placing it in the top 25% nationally. That puts it ahead of roughly three-quarters of all authorities on the characteristics that signal innovative activity.
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
1,075
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+75 points against the UK · Likely range 1,037–1,113 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are scaleups, their headcount growth, and whether they have attended an accelerator. At 1,075, Lisburn and Castlereagh ranks 16th of 360 authorities, 75 points above the UK benchmark and in the top 5% nationally. It outperforms 95.6% of all authorities on this pillar, making Scaling its clearest area of strength.
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
942
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−58 points against the UK · Likely range 907–977 · 30% of the composite
Investment captures equity raisers, the value of equity raised, and first-time raisers over the last five years. Lisburn and Castlereagh scores 942 here, 58 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 188th of 360 authorities. It is the authority's weakest pillar and the one area where it sits 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
1,055
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+55 points against the UK · Likely range 1,028–1,082 · 10% of the composite
ESG covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. Lisburn and Castlereagh scores 1,055 on this pillar, 55 points above the UK benchmark, and ranks 93rd of 361 authorities, within the top third nationally. It outperforms 74.2% of authorities 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 Northern Ireland
The chart below shows how Lisburn and Castlereagh's composite score compares with its neighbours across Northern Ireland.
What is Lisburn and Castlereagh's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Lisburn and Castlereagh scores 1,015 on the index, placing it 65th of 361 local authorities and 15 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Lisburn and Castlereagh rank in Northern Ireland?
It ranks 2nd of 11 authorities in Northern Ireland, scoring 3 points above the Northern Ireland average of 1,012.
Which pillar is Lisburn and Castlereagh strongest on?
Scaling is its strongest pillar, where it scores 1,075 and ranks 16th of 360 authorities nationally, placing it in the top 5% in the UK.
Where does Lisburn and Castlereagh underperform relative to the UK?
Investment is the weakest pillar, with a score of 942, which is 58 points below the UK benchmark. It ranks 188th of 360 authorities on this measure.
How many companies are counted in Lisburn and Castlereagh's score?
The index covers 5,165 active companies in Lisburn and Castlereagh, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the likely range on Lisburn and Castlereagh's score mean?
The likely range of 993 to 1,037 shows how much the composite score could shift 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.
