Sunderland scores 984 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 148th of 361 local authorities and 16 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on ESG, where it ranks 47th nationally and sits 89 points above the UK benchmark. Innovation and Investment both come in below the benchmark, pulling the composite score down.
Sunderland's composite score is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
The index measures the characteristics of active companies in each authority, with corporate groups counted once. Because each score is averaged across those companies rather than totalled, it 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 benchmark is set at 1,000, so Sunderland's score of 984 places it just below the national average. The likely range of 969 to 999 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.
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 Sunderland's composite score of 984 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
971
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−29 points against the UK · Likely range 948–994 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags. Sunderland scores 971 on this pillar, 29 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 185th of 361 authorities. Companies here show somewhat less activity across these innovation signals than the UK average.
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
1,000
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
±0 points against the UK · Likely range 977–1,023 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their annualised headcount growth, and accelerator participation. Sunderland scores exactly 1,000, level with the UK benchmark, and ranks 156th of 360 authorities. On this measure, its companies are adding staff at a rate in line with the national average.
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
944
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−56 points against the UK · Likely range 918–970 · 30% of the composite
Investment measures equity raisers, the value of equity raised, and first-time raisers, all over the last five years. At 944, Sunderland sits 56 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 178th of 360 authorities, indicating that equity investment activity among local companies is below 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
1,089
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+89 points against the UK · Likely range 1,065–1,113 · 10% of the composite
ESG covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. Sunderland's score of 1,089 is 89 points above the UK benchmark, placing it 47th of 361 authorities and ahead of 87% of all authorities. This is a clear area of relative strength for the area.
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 Tyne and Wear
The chart below shows how Sunderland's composite score of 984 compares with its neighbours in Tyne and Wear, where the county scores 1,011 and the leading authority, Newcastle upon Tyne, scores 1,059.
Sunderland scores 984 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 148th of 361 local authorities. That puts it 16 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Sunderland compare with the rest of Tyne and Wear?
Sunderland ranks 4th of the 5 authorities in Tyne and Wear. The county as a whole scores 1,011, so Sunderland sits 27 points below the county figure.
Where is Sunderland strongest on the Local Growth Index?
ESG is Sunderland's strongest pillar, scoring 1,089, which is 89 points above the UK benchmark and ranks 47th of 361 authorities. This covers clean energy, green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy.
What is Sunderland's weakest pillar on the index?
Innovation is the lowest-scoring pillar, at 971, which is 29 points below the UK benchmark. The pillar covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags.
How many companies are counted in Sunderland's score?
The score is based on 9,314 active companies in Sunderland, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the UK benchmark of 1,000 mean for Sunderland?
The UK as a whole is set at 1,000, so any score above that means local companies are more active than the national average on that measure, and any score below means less active. Sunderland's composite of 984 puts it just below the national average.
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.
