Highland scores 982 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 156th of 361 local authorities and 18 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on ESG, where it ranks 27th nationally. Innovation is the area where its companies are least active relative to the UK.
Each score is an average across the area's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a council with 10,878 active companies can be compared fairly with much larger or smaller economies, because the score reflects how active local companies are rather than how large the local economy is.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so a score of 982 means Highland's companies are, on average, slightly less active across these measures than the UK as a whole. Every score is also published alongside a likely range, which shows how much the result could move with a slightly different mix of companies. A score is only published when that range is narrow enough to be reliable; Highland's range of 969 to 995 meets that bar.
Scotland
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 Highland's composite score of 982 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
935
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−65 points against the UK · Likely range 919–951 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags. Highland ranks 307th of 361 authorities on this pillar, with a score of 935, putting it 65 points below the UK benchmark and outperforming only 15% of authorities. That places its companies among the least active on innovation-related signals 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
1,016
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+16 points against the UK · Likely range 992–1,040 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar measures whether companies are scaleups, their headcount growth, and accelerator attendance. At 1,016, Highland sits 16 points above the UK benchmark and ranks 90th of 360 authorities, outperforming 75% of councils. Its companies are adding staff at a pace that compares well with most of the country.
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
949
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−51 points against the UK · Likely range 924–974 · 30% of the composite
Investment captures equity-raising activity, the amount raised, and first-time equity raisers. Highland's score of 949 is 51 points below the UK benchmark, placing it 161st of 360 authorities. It outperforms just over half of councils, suggesting its companies participate in equity markets at a rate close to, but slightly below, 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
1,114
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+114 points against the UK · Likely range 1,092–1,136 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. Highland scores 1,114 here, 114 points above the UK benchmark, and ranks 27th of 361 authorities, outperforming 92.5% of councils. This is a clear area of strength 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 Scotland
The chart below shows how Highland's composite score compares with its neighbouring authorities across Scotland.
Highland scores 982 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 156th of 361 local authorities. That is 18 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Highland compare with the rest of Scotland?
Highland ranks 14th of 32 Scottish authorities, sitting 10 points below the Scotland average of 992.
Which pillar is Highland strongest on?
Highland's highest pillar is ESG, where it scores 1,114, ranking 27th nationally and outperforming 92.5% of authorities. That score is 114 points above the UK benchmark.
Where does Highland rank on Innovation?
Innovation is Highland's weakest pillar. It ranks 307th of 361 authorities, with a score of 935, which is 65 points below the UK benchmark.
How many companies are counted in Highland's score?
The index covers 10,878 active companies in Highland, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the likely range on Highland's score mean?
The likely range of 969 to 995 shows how far the composite score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. Publishing a score only when this range is narrow enough ensures the result is 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.
