Middlesbrough ranks 257th of 361 UK local authorities, with a composite score of 959, placing it 41 points below the UK benchmark. Investment is its relative strength, where it ranks 144th nationally and outperforms 60% of authorities. Innovation is the area where it trails most, sitting 71 points below the UK benchmark at 328th.
Middlesbrough's composite score of 959 is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
Each pillar score is an average across Middlesbrough's 7,424 active companies, with corporate groups counted once. Averaging in this way means the score reflects how active local companies are rather than how large the local economy is, which makes it a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Middlesbrough's composite of 959 sits 41 points below that national benchmark. Each score also comes with a likely range, which 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, and Middlesbrough's composite range of 944 to 974 meets that standard.
North East
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 Middlesbrough's composite score of 959 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
929
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−71 points against the UK · Likely range 910–948 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector classification. Middlesbrough ranks 328th of 361 authorities on this pillar, with a score of 929, placing it 71 points below the UK benchmark and outperforming only 9.1% of authorities. This suggests that local companies are relatively less active on the measures that capture patent-holding, R&D grant receipt and presence in the most innovation-intensive sectors.
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
986
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−14 points against the UK · Likely range 960–1,012 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator attendance. At 986, Middlesbrough's Scaling score sits just 14 points below the UK benchmark, and it ranks 223rd of 360 authorities. That puts it in a broadly mid-range position nationally and suggests that staff growth and high-growth signals among local companies are not far from the UK norm.
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
954
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−46 points against the UK · Likely range 924–984 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the value of equity raised and first-time equity raisers, all measured over the last five years. This is Middlesbrough's strongest pillar: a score of 954 places it 144th of 360 authorities, outperforming 60% of all authorities. Relative to its other scores, local companies are more active in accessing equity finance.
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
980
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−20 points against the UK · Likely range 959–1,001 · 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. Middlesbrough scores 980, which is 20 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 277th of 361 authorities, outperforming 23.3% of places. Compared with its Investment position, ESG is a weaker area for local 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 North Yorkshire
The chart below compares Middlesbrough's composite score with those of its neighbouring authorities in North Yorkshire.
Middlesbrough has a composite score of 959, placing it 41 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000 and 257th of 361 local authorities nationally.
How does Middlesbrough compare with other authorities in North Yorkshire?
Middlesbrough ranks 5th of 5 authorities in North Yorkshire, scoring 30 points below the county score of 989. York is the county's top-scoring authority, with a score of 1,035.
How does Middlesbrough rank in the North East region?
Middlesbrough ranks 9th of 12 authorities in the North East, sitting 35 points below the regional score of 994.
Which pillar is Middlesbrough strongest on?
Investment is Middlesbrough's strongest pillar, where it ranks 144th of 360 authorities and outperforms 60% of all local authorities. The pillar measures equity raisers, equity raised and first-time equity raisers over the last five years.
Which pillar is Middlesbrough weakest on?
Innovation is Middlesbrough's lowest-scoring pillar, at 929 and 71 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 328th of 361 authorities. It measures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector classification.
How many companies are included in Middlesbrough's score?
The score is based on 7,424 active companies in Middlesbrough, 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.
