Westminster ranks 7th of 361 UK local authorities, with a composite score of 1,179, putting it 179 points above the UK benchmark. Its strongest pillar is Investment, where it ranks 6th nationally and sits 345 points above the benchmark. All four pillars are published, and each sits above the UK average.
Westminster's composite score is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
Each score is averaged across active companies in the authority, with corporate groups counted once, which means a place with fewer but more dynamic companies can rank above a larger economy with more inactive ones. That makes the index a fair basis for comparing authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so any score above that means local companies are, on average, more active across that pillar's measures than the national norm. Westminster's composite of 1,179 sits clearly above that benchmark. The likely range of 1,172 to 1,186 shows how far the score might move with a slightly different mix of companies; because that range is narrow, the score is published with confidence.
London
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 Westminster's composite score of 1,179 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,131
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+131 points against the UK · Likely range 1,124–1,138 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures granted patent families filed in the last 20 years, university spinout status, R&D grant value, presence in innovative sectors, and IS-8 sector tagging. Westminster ranks 11th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 1,131, which is 131 points above the UK benchmark and places it in the top 5% nationally. Companies here are, on average, notably more active across these innovation signals than the typical UK authority.
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
1,117
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+117 points against the UK · Likely range 1,108–1,126 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar measures scaleup status, headcount growth over the latest four years of accounts, and accelerator attendance. Westminster ranks 5th of 360 on Scaling, its highest pillar rank, sitting 117 points above the UK benchmark. That places it in the top 2% of authorities, indicating its companies are adding staff and achieving high-growth signals at a pace well ahead of 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
1,345
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+345 points against the UK · Likely range 1,327–1,363 · 30% of the composite
Investment reflects whether companies raised equity in the last five years, the amount raised, and whether a raise was a first-ever equity deal. Westminster's Investment score of 1,345 is 345 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 6th of 360 authorities. That margin is the largest of any pillar here and signals a strong pattern of equity activity among local companies.
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
1,012
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+12 points against the UK · Likely range 1,006–1,018 · 10% of the composite
ESG covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Westminster's ESG score of 1,012 is 12 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 179th of 361 authorities. While still above the national average, this sits well behind its other pillars, reflecting a more middling position on ESG signals relative to the rest of the UK.
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 London
The chart below shows how Westminster's composite score compares with its neighbours across Greater London, where it ranks 2nd of 32 authorities, 158 points above the county score of 1,021.
Westminster's composite score is 1,179, placing it 179 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000 and 7th of 361 local authorities in the UK.
How does Westminster compare with the rest of London?
Westminster ranks 2nd of 32 authorities in Greater London, scoring 158 points above the county average of 1,021 and 146 points above the London region average of 1,033.
Which pillar is Westminster's strongest?
Investment is Westminster's strongest pillar by margin, sitting 345 points above the UK benchmark and ranking 6th of 360 authorities. By rank, Scaling is its highest at 5th of 360.
How many companies are counted in Westminster's score?
The score is based on 116,496 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the Local Growth Index actually measure?
It measures the characteristics of a place's companies across four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. It is not a measure of economic output or GDP.
Why is Westminster's ESG score lower than its other pillars?
Westminster's ESG score of 1,012 ranks 179th of 361 authorities, just 12 points above the UK benchmark. The ESG pillar covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status, and Westminster's companies are closer to the national average on these measures than on innovation, scaling or investment.
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.
