Bristol ranks 14th of 361 local authorities in the UK Local Growth Index, with a composite score of 1,092, placing it 92 points above the UK benchmark. All four pillars sit above the benchmark, with Innovation and Investment both landing in the top 5% of authorities nationally. Bristol also ranks 1st in its region, scoring 86 points above the South West average.
Bristol's composite score of 1,092 is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
Each score is averaged across active companies in the authority, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a place with 28,840 active companies can be compared fairly with much smaller or larger authorities, because the score reflects how active local companies are rather than how large the local economy is.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Bristol's 1,092 means its companies consistently outperform the national average across the characteristics the index measures. The likely range of 1,078 to 1,106 shows how much the composite score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
South 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 City of Bristol's composite score of 1,092 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,110
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+110 points against the UK · Likely range 1,091–1,129 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tagging and presence in IS-8 sectors. Bristol ranks 16th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 1,110, which is 110 points above the UK benchmark and places it in the top 5% nationally. Its companies are noticeably more active than the UK average across the signals that drive this pillar.
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
1,060
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+60 points against the UK · Likely range 1,044–1,076 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are scaleups, their headcount growth over the latest four years of accounts, and accelerator attendance. Bristol ranks 21st of 360 authorities, scoring 1,060, which is 60 points above the UK benchmark and in the top 10%. Its companies are adding staff at a meaningfully faster rate than the UK 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
1,097
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+97 points against the UK · Likely range 1,072–1,122 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the value of equity raised in the last five years, and first-time raisers. Bristol ranks 17th of 360 authorities, scoring 1,097, which is 97 points above the UK benchmark and in the top 5%. Bristol's companies are raising equity considerably more actively than the national average.
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
1,115
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+115 points against the UK · Likely range 1,101–1,129 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. Bristol ranks 26th of 361 authorities, scoring 1,115, which is 115 points above the UK benchmark and in the top 10%. Although this is the lowest-ranking pillar relative to other authorities, it remains a clear strength in absolute terms.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about City of Bristol's Local Growth Score and how it's calculated.
What is Bristol's score in the UK Local Growth Index?
Bristol's composite score is 1,092, which is 92 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000. It ranks 14th of 361 local authorities.
How does Bristol compare to other authorities in the South West?
Bristol ranks 1st of 27 authorities in the South West, scoring 86 points above the regional average of 1,006.
Which pillar is Bristol strongest on?
Bristol's highest-ranking pillar is Innovation, where it places 16th of 361 authorities and scores 110 points above the UK benchmark, putting it in the top 5% nationally.
How does Bristol score on investment activity?
Bristol ranks 17th of 360 authorities on Investment, scoring 1,097, which is 97 points above the UK benchmark and in the top 5%. This reflects strong equity-raising activity among its companies.
What does the likely range on Bristol's score mean?
The likely range of 1,078 to 1,106 shows how much Bristol's composite score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies. Scores are only published when this range is narrow enough to be reliable.
How many active companies does Bristol have?
The index covers 28,840 active companies in Bristol, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
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.
