Wrexham scores 975 on the Local Growth Index, placing it 182nd of 361 UK local authorities and 25 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is in ESG, where it sits 32 points above the UK benchmark. Investment is the weakest pillar, sitting 56 points below the benchmark.
The index measures the characteristics of Wrexham's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. Because each score is averaged across those companies rather than summed, it reflects how active local companies are rather than the size of the local economy, which makes it a fair comparison between authorities of very different scales.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000 by design, so Wrexham's composite of 975 places it modestly below that national reference point. Each score also comes with a likely range, which shows how much the figure could move with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
Wales
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 Wrexham's composite score of 975 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
977
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−23 points against the UK · Likely range 953–1,001 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tagging and IS-8 sector classification. Wrexham ranks 165th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 977, which is 23 points below the UK benchmark, and outperforms 54.3% of authorities, placing it just across the midpoint nationally.
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
986
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−14 points against the UK · Likely range 954–1,018 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are scaleups, their headcount growth over time, and accelerator attendance. At 986, Wrexham is 14 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 226th of 360 authorities, outperforming 37.2% of peers. This is Wrexham's weakest pillar relative to its national standing.
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 909–979 · 30% of the composite
The Investment pillar covers equity raisers, the amount of equity raised, and first-time raisers over the last five years. Wrexham scores 944 here, 56 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 177th of 360 authorities. The gap to the UK is the largest of any pillar, suggesting equity activity among local companies is relatively limited.
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
1,032
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+32 points against the UK · Likely range 1,006–1,058 · 10% of the composite
ESG tracks clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. At 1,032, Wrexham is 32 points above the UK benchmark and ranks 121st of 361 authorities, outperforming 66.5% of all authorities. This is Wrexham's highest-scoring pillar and the only one above the national benchmark.
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 Wales
The chart below sets Wrexham's composite score of 975 against its neighbouring authorities in Wales, where the regional average is 996.
Wrexham scores 975 on the Local Growth Index, placing it 182nd of 361 UK local authorities and 25 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Wrexham compare to the rest of Wales?
Wrexham ranks 14th of 22 Welsh authorities and scores 21 points below the Wales regional average of 996. Cardiff is the highest-scoring authority in Wales, at 1,047.
Which pillar is Wrexham strongest on?
ESG is Wrexham's strongest pillar, scoring 1,032, which is 32 points above the UK benchmark. It ranks 121st of 361 authorities on this measure and outperforms 66.5% of all authorities.
Where does Wrexham rank for business investment activity?
Wrexham ranks 177th of 360 authorities on Investment, scoring 944, which is 56 points below the UK benchmark. This is its largest gap to the national reference point across all four pillars.
How many active companies does Wrexham have in the index?
The index covers 5,270 active companies in Wrexham, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
What does the likely range on Wrexham's score mean?
The likely range of 957 to 993 shows how much the composite score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies. Wrexham's score is published because that range is narrow enough to rely on.
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.
