Ards and North Down scores 972 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 203rd of 361 local authorities and 28 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on ESG, where it ranks 98th nationally and sits 48 points above the UK benchmark. Investment is the area where it trails most, coming in 69 points below the UK.
Each score is averaged across the area's 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 benchmark is set at 1,000, so a score of 972 places Ards and North Down just below the national average across its 5,028 active companies. The likely range of 954 to 990 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.
Northern Ireland
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 Ards and North Down's composite score of 972 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
972
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−28 points against the UK · Likely range 947–997 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags. Ards and North Down scores 972 on this pillar, 28 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 178th of 361 authorities, outperforming just over half of all authorities.
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 955–1,017 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar measures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator participation. At 986, Ards and North Down sits 14 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 221st of 360 authorities, its closest pillar result to 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
931
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−69 points against the UK · Likely range 898–964 · 30% of the composite
Investment captures whether companies have raised equity, how much they have raised and whether they are first-time equity raisers, all in the last five years. With a score of 931, Ards and North Down is 69 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 233rd of 360 authorities, making this the area's weakest pillar.
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
1,048
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+48 points against the UK · Likely range 1,021–1,075 · 10% of the composite
ESG covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals and a not-for-profit proxy. Ards and North Down scores 1,048 here, 48 points above the UK benchmark and ranking 98th of 361 authorities. It outperforms nearly three-quarters of all authorities on this pillar, a clear relative strength.
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 Northern Ireland
The chart below sets Ards and North Down's composite score of 972 against its Northern Ireland neighbours, where the regional average is 1,012.
What is the UK Local Growth Index score for Ards and North Down?
Ards and North Down scores 972 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 203rd of 361 local authorities and 28 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Ards and North Down compare to other Northern Ireland authorities?
Ards and North Down ranks 10th of 11 Northern Ireland authorities, scoring 40 points below the regional average of 1,012. Belfast is the top-scoring authority in the region with a score of 1,088.
What is Ards and North Down's strongest pillar on the index?
ESG is the strongest pillar, with a score of 1,048, placing the authority 98th of 361 nationally and 48 points above the UK benchmark.
Where does Ards and North Down rank for Investment?
Investment is the weakest pillar, with a score of 931, ranking 233rd of 360 authorities and sitting 69 points below the UK benchmark.
How many active companies are counted in Ards and North Down?
The index covers 5,028 active companies in Ards and North Down, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the likely range mean for Ards and North Down's score?
The likely range of 954 to 990 shows how much the composite score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. Scores are only published when this range is narrow enough to be reliable.
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.
