Powys ranks 119th of 361 UK local authorities, with a composite score 7 points below the UK benchmark. Its ESG pillar is a clear standout, placing it 5th nationally. Innovation, Scaling and Investment all sit modestly below the UK benchmark.
The composite score is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
Each score is calculated as an average across active companies in the area, with corporate groups counted once. This means a smaller authority with highly active companies can score above a larger one, making the index a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Powys's composite of 993 places it just below that benchmark. The likely range of 975 to 1,011 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.
Wales
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 Powys's composite score of 993 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
983
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−17 points against the UK · Likely range 960–1,006 · 30% of the composite
Innovation is measured using granted patent families, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector classification. Powys ranks 146th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 17 points below the UK benchmark, outperforming 59.6% of 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
989
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−11 points against the UK · Likely range 957–1,021 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar captures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their headcount growth rate and whether they have attended an accelerator. Powys ranks 210th of 360 on Scaling, 11 points below the UK benchmark, and it is the authority's lowest-scoring pillar.
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
941
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−59 points against the UK · Likely range 906–976 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raising activity, the value of equity raised and first-time equity raisers over the last five years. At 59 points below the UK benchmark and ranked 193rd of 360, this is the pillar with the largest gap to the national average for Powys.
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
1,194
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+194 points against the UK · Likely range 1,155–1,233 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures activity across clean energy, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals and a not-for-profit proxy. Powys ranks 5th of 361 authorities here, scoring 194 points above the UK benchmark, outperforming 98.6% of authorities. This is by far the authority's strongest pillar and a distinctive feature of its business economy.
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 Wales
The chart below compares Powys's composite score and pillar scores against its neighbours in Wales.
Powys ranks 119th of 361 UK local authorities on the Local Growth Index, with a composite score of 993, placing it 7 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Powys compare to other Welsh authorities?
Powys ranks 10th of 22 Welsh authorities, scoring 3 points below the Wales average of 996. Cardiff leads the Wales rankings with a score of 1,047.
What is Powys's strongest area in the Local Growth Index?
ESG is Powys's strongest pillar by a considerable margin, ranking 5th of 361 authorities and scoring 194 points above the UK benchmark. It outperforms 98.6% of all UK local authorities on this measure.
What does the ESG pillar measure?
The ESG pillar measures company-level signals across clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance indicators, and a not-for-profit proxy based on company structure.
How many active companies are counted in Powys?
The index covers 5,368 active companies in Powys, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the likely range mean for Powys's score?
The likely range of 975 to 1,011 shows how much the composite score could move 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.
