Solihull scores 979 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 162nd of 361 local authorities and 21 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest result is on Scaling, where it sits in the top quarter of all authorities. Investment is the area where it trails the UK most noticeably.
Because each score is averaged across a place's companies rather than summed, the index reflects how active local businesses are on each measure, not how large the local economy is. That makes it a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
A score of 1,000 represents the UK as a whole, so Solihull's 979 places it slightly below the national level. The likely range shown alongside each score indicates how much it could move with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
West Midlands
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 Solihull's composite score of 979 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
987
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−13 points against the UK · Likely range 969–1,005 · 30% of the composite
Innovation tracks patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector classifications. Solihull ranks 131st of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 987, which is 13 points below the UK benchmark, suggesting its companies are broadly in line with the national picture on innovation 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
1,016
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+16 points against the UK · Likely range 996–1,036 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their headcount growth rate over recent years, and accelerator participation. At 1,016, Solihull ranks 89th of 360 authorities on Scaling, 16 points above the UK benchmark, outperforming 75.3% of all authorities. This is its strongest pillar and places it in the top quarter nationally.
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
930
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−70 points against the UK · Likely range 910–950 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers whether companies have raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised, and whether they did so for the first time. Solihull's Investment score of 930 ranks 239th of 360 authorities, sitting 70 points below the UK benchmark. This is the clearest gap in the authority's profile relative to the national level.
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
993
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−7 points against the UK · Likely range 977–1,009 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar captures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit status. Solihull scores 993 on ESG, 7 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 237th of 361 authorities. The score is close to the national level, though it outperforms only 34.3% of authorities on this pillar.
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 West Midlands
The chart below compares Solihull's composite score and pillar scores with those of neighbouring local authorities in the West Midlands.
Solihull scores 979 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 162nd of 361 local authorities. That puts it 21 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Solihull compare with other West Midlands authorities?
Solihull ranks 1st of 7 authorities in its county, scoring 25 points above the county score of 954. Within the wider West Midlands region it ranks 11th of 30, sitting 14 points above the regional score of 965.
Which pillar is Solihull strongest on?
Scaling is Solihull's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,016, which is 16 points above the UK benchmark. It ranks 89th of 360 authorities on this measure, placing it in the top quarter nationally.
Where does Solihull score lowest?
Investment is Solihull's lowest-scoring pillar at 930, which is 70 points below the UK benchmark. It ranks 239th of 360 authorities on this measure.
What does the UK Local Growth Index actually measure for Solihull?
The index measures the characteristics of Solihull's business economy, covering 13,738 active companies with corporate groups counted once. It does not measure economic output or GDP.
How reliable is Solihull's Local Growth Index score?
The composite score of 979 comes with a likely range of 968 to 990, indicating that it is narrow enough to rely on. Individual pillar scores are also published, as each has a sufficiently tight likely range.
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.
