Trafford scores 1,013 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 67th of 361 local authorities and 13 points above the UK benchmark. It ranks 2nd of 10 authorities in Greater Manchester and 4th of 35 in the North West. Investment is its standout pillar, ranking 32nd nationally and outperforming more than nine in ten authorities.
Each pillar score is an average across Trafford's 21,428 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 across authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Trafford's composite of 1,013 places it modestly above the national benchmark. Every score also comes with a likely range, which shows how much the result could shift 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 Trafford's composite score of 1,013 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,013
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+13 points against the UK · Likely range 1,000–1,026 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags across a local authority's companies. Trafford's Innovation score of 1,013 sits 13 points above the UK benchmark, placing it 85th of 361 authorities and within the top 25%. Its companies are marginally more active on these innovation measures than the national 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
1,006
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+6 points against the UK · Likely range 990–1,022 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their three-year headcount growth rates and accelerator attendance. At 1,006, Trafford's Scaling score is 6 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 135th of 360 authorities. It sits in the top half nationally, though the advantage over the UK average is modest.
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
1,035
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+35 points against the UK · Likely range 1,010–1,060 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raising activity over the last five years, the amounts raised and whether companies completed their first-ever equity deal in that period. Trafford ranks 32nd of 360 on this pillar, 35 points above the UK benchmark, outperforming 91.1% of authorities. This is clearly Trafford's strongest pillar, pointing to a notably active equity fundraising environment relative to 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
971
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−29 points against the UK · Likely range 960–982 · 10% of the composite
ESG looks at clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit status. Trafford's ESG score of 971 is 29 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 294th of 361 authorities. This is the area where Trafford's companies are least active relative to the rest of the UK, and it is the main drag on the composite score.
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 compares Trafford's composite score with those of its neighbours across Greater Manchester.
What is Trafford's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Trafford scores 1,013, placing it 67th of 361 local authorities and 13 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Trafford compare to the rest of Greater Manchester?
Trafford ranks 2nd of the 10 Greater Manchester authorities, scoring 37 points above the county average of 976.
Which pillar is Trafford strongest on?
Investment is Trafford's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,035 that is 35 points above the UK benchmark and ranks 32nd of 360 authorities nationally.
Where does Trafford rank in the North West?
Trafford ranks 4th of 35 authorities in the North West, scoring 40 points above the regional average of 973.
What does the UK Local Growth Index actually measure?
It measures the characteristics of a local authority's business economy across four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. The score reflects how active local companies are on each measure, not the size of the local economy.
Why is Trafford's ESG score below the UK average?
Trafford's ESG score of 971 is 29 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 294th of 361 authorities. ESG covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit status, and Trafford's companies are less active on these measures than 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.
