Manchester scores 1,015 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 64th of 361 local authorities and 15 points above the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is in Investment, where it ranks 34th nationally. ESG is the area where its companies score furthest below the UK average.
Each score is averaged across a place's active companies, with corporate groups counted once, giving a measure of how active local companies are rather than how large the local economy is. That makes it a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Manchester's 1,015 puts it modestly ahead of the national average across all four pillars combined. Each score also comes with a likely range, which shows how much the result 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 Manchester's composite score of 1,015 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,019
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+19 points against the UK · Likely range 1,010–1,028 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, R&D grant value, academic spinout status and activity in innovative and IS-8 sectors. Manchester ranks 69th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 19 points above the UK benchmark, placing it in the top 20% nationally and ahead of roughly four in five authorities.
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
1,009
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+9 points against the UK · Likely range 1,000–1,018 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures headcount growth, whether companies meet the scaleup threshold and accelerator attendance. Manchester ranks 121st of 360 authorities, scoring 9 points above the UK benchmark. That puts it in the top half nationally, though the margin over the UK average is narrower here than on its other scored pillars.
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
1,033
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+33 points against the UK · Likely range 1,019–1,047 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raised, whether companies raised equity in the last five years and whether a raise was a first-ever deal. Manchester's strongest result is here: ranking 34th of 360 authorities and 33 points above the UK benchmark, it sits in the top 10% nationally and outperforms over 90% of all authorities.
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
968
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−32 points against the UK · Likely range 961–975 · 10% of the composite
ESG looks at clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals and not-for-profit proxy status. Manchester ranks 300th of 361 on this pillar, scoring 32 points below the UK benchmark, making it the area where its companies trail the national average most noticeably.
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 Greater Manchester
The chart below compares Manchester's composite score of 1,015 with its neighbours across Greater Manchester, where it ranks 1st of 10 authorities, 39 points above the county average of 976.
What is Manchester's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Manchester scores 1,015, placing it 64th of 361 local authorities and 15 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Manchester compare with the rest of Greater Manchester?
Manchester ranks 1st of 10 authorities in Greater Manchester, scoring 39 points above the county average of 976. The next-highest authority in the county is Trafford, which scores 1,013.
Which pillar does Manchester score highest on?
Investment is Manchester's strongest pillar. It ranks 34th of 360 authorities on that measure, scoring 33 points above the UK benchmark and outperforming over 90% of all authorities.
Where does Manchester rank on ESG?
ESG is Manchester's lowest-scoring pillar. It ranks 300th of 361 authorities, with a score 32 points below the UK benchmark.
How many companies are counted in Manchester's score?
The score is based on 60,537 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
What does the likely range on Manchester's score mean?
The likely range of 1,008 to 1,022 shows how much the composite score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. It is published because that 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.
