Stockport scores 976 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 178th of 361 local authorities and 24 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest pillar is Innovation, where it ranks 142nd nationally. ESG is the weakest area, sitting noticeably lower than the other three pillars.
Each score is an average across the authority's 22,157 active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a smaller authority with highly active companies can outscore a larger one, making this a fair comparison between places of very different sizes.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so a score of 976 places Stockport 24 points below that national reference point. Each pillar score also comes with a likely range, which shows how much the score 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 Stockport's composite score of 976 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
984
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−16 points against the UK · Likely range 972–996 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags. Stockport ranks 142nd of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 984, which is 16 points below the UK benchmark but ahead of 60.7% of authorities. That positions it as a mid-table performer on innovation activity among its companies.
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
999
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−1 points against the UK · Likely range 984–1,014 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar measures whether companies are 20% scaleups, their headcount growth over recent years, and whether they have attended an accelerator. Stockport's score of 999 is just 1 point below the UK benchmark, ranking 170th of 360 authorities, and puts it within touching distance of the national average for company growth activity.
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
947
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−53 points against the UK · Likely range 930–964 · 30% of the composite
Investment captures equity-raising activity, the amount of equity raised in the last five years, and first-time equity raisers. At 947, Stockport sits 53 points below the UK benchmark on this pillar, ranking 173rd of 360 authorities. That gap indicates companies here are raising equity at a somewhat lower rate than the national picture.
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 957–979 · 10% of the composite
ESG covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. This is Stockport's weakest area: a score of 968 places it 301st of 361 authorities, 32 points below the UK benchmark, and ahead of only 16.6% of authorities on this measure.
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 sets Stockport's score of 976 alongside its neighbours in Greater Manchester, where it ranks 4th of 10 authorities and sits level with the county average of 976.
Stockport scores 976 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 178th of 361 local authorities and 24 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Stockport compare to the rest of Greater Manchester?
Stockport ranks 4th of 10 authorities in Greater Manchester and scores level with the county average of 976. Manchester is the leading authority in the county, scoring 1,015.
Which pillar is Stockport strongest on?
Innovation is Stockport's highest-scoring pillar, at 984, ranking 142nd of 361 authorities nationally. It outperforms 60.7% of all authorities on this measure.
Which pillar is Stockport weakest on?
ESG is Stockport's lowest-scoring pillar, at 968, ranking 301st of 361 authorities and sitting 32 points below the UK benchmark. It outperforms only 16.6% of authorities on this measure.
How many companies are counted in Stockport's score?
The index covers 22,157 active companies in Stockport, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the UK Local Growth Index actually measure?
The index measures the characteristics of a local authority's business economy across four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. It does not measure economic output or GDP; it reflects how active local companies are across those dimensions.
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.
