Merton ranks 232nd of 361 UK local authorities, with a composite score of 967, placing it 33 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest relative position is on Investment, where it ranks 115th nationally, outperforming more than two-thirds of authorities. ESG is the weakest pillar, ranking 345th of 361.
Merton's composite score of 967 is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
The index scores each authority by averaging across its active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a smaller authority with highly active companies can score above a larger one with a less active business base, making comparisons across authorities of different sizes fair.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so Merton's score of 967 sits 33 points below that reference point. Every score also comes with a likely range, which shows how much the figure could move with a slightly different mix of companies; Merton's composite range of 958 to 976 is narrow enough to publish with confidence.
London
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 Merton's composite score of 967 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
972
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−28 points against the UK · Likely range 961–983 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tagging and IS-8 sector classification. Merton scores 972 on this pillar, 28 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 176th of 361 authorities and outperforming just over half of them. That places it broadly in the middle of the national distribution.
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
971
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−29 points against the UK · Likely range 957–985 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar measures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator participation. At 971, Merton sits 29 points below the UK benchmark, but its rank of 289th of 360 means it outperforms fewer than one in five authorities, pointing to relatively limited high-growth activity among its companies.
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 947–983 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the amount of equity raised and first-time raisers, all within the last five years. Merton's score of 965 ranks 115th of 360 authorities, outperforming 68.1% of the country. This is Merton's strongest pillar relative to peers, even though it remains 35 points below the UK benchmark.
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
940
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−60 points against the UK · Likely range 929–951 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Merton scores 940 here, 60 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 345th of 361 authorities, outperforming only 4.4% of the country. This is a notably weak result and the main drag on the composite score.
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 London
The chart below shows how Merton's composite score and pillar scores compare with neighbouring authorities in Greater London.
Merton's composite score is 967, placing it 232nd of 361 UK local authorities and 33 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Merton compare with the rest of Greater London?
Within Greater London, Merton ranks 14th of 33 authorities. Its composite score of 967 is 66 points below the London regional average of 1,033.
Which pillar is Merton strongest on?
Investment is Merton's strongest pillar, where it ranks 115th of 360 authorities and outperforms 68.1% of the country. The pillar covers equity raisers, equity raised and first-time raisers in the last five years.
Which pillar is Merton weakest on?
ESG is Merton's weakest area, ranking 345th of 361 authorities with a score of 940, which is 60 points below the UK benchmark. The pillar covers clean energy, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals and not-for-profit proxy status.
How many active companies are counted in Merton's score?
The index counts 22,394 active companies in Merton, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the UK benchmark of 1,000 mean for interpreting Merton's score?
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so any authority above 1,000 is performing above the national average and any below is performing below it. Merton's score of 967 puts it 33 points below that benchmark.
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.
