Lichfield scores 982 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 155th of 361 local authorities and 18 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. It ranks 2nd of 9 authorities in Staffordshire and 9th of 30 in the West Midlands, sitting 14 points above the county average and 17 points above the regional average. Scaling is its strongest pillar, where it ranks in the top 25% nationally.
Each score is averaged across the district's active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate entities. That averaging means the index reflects how active local companies are, not simply how large the local economy is, which makes it a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so Lichfield's composite score of 982 sits just below that national reference point. The likely range for the composite is 966 to 998, showing 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.
West Midlands
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 Lichfield's composite score of 982 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
985
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−15 points against the UK · Likely range 962–1,008 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative-sector tagging and IS-8 sector classification. Lichfield scores 985 on this pillar, 15 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 139th of 361 authorities and outperforming 61.5% of them. That places it in the top half nationally, suggesting its companies show broadly typical levels of innovative activity.
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 986–1,046 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar measures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator attendance. At 1,016, Lichfield is 16 points above the UK benchmark and ranks 88th of 360 authorities, outperforming 75.6% of all local authorities. This is Lichfield's strongest pillar, and its top-quartile ranking indicates companies here are adding staff noticeably faster than 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
945
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−55 points against the UK · Likely range 915–975 · 30% of the composite
Investment captures equity-raising activity, the amount of equity raised and first-time raisers over the last five years. Lichfield's score of 945 is 55 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 175th of 360 authorities and outperforming just over half. Equity investment activity among Lichfield's companies is below the national level, and this is the widest gap to the UK benchmark across its shown pillars.
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
976
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−24 points against the UK · Likely range 956–996 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Lichfield scores 976 on ESG, 24 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 288th of 361 authorities, outperforming only 20.2% of areas. This is Lichfield's lowest-ranked pillar, and the result suggests relatively limited ESG-related signals among its companies compared with most of the country.
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 Staffordshire
The chart below places Lichfield's composite score alongside its Staffordshire neighbours, including the county runner-up Tamworth, which scores 986.
What is Lichfield's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Lichfield scores 982, placing it 155th of 361 local authorities and 18 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Lichfield compare with the rest of Staffordshire?
Lichfield ranks 2nd of 9 Staffordshire authorities, scoring 14 points above the county average of 968.
Which pillar is Lichfield strongest on?
Scaling is Lichfield's top pillar, with a score of 1,016, placing it 88th of 360 authorities and in the top 25% nationally.
How many active companies does the index cover in Lichfield?
The index covers 6,838 active companies in Lichfield, with corporate groups counted once.
Why does the index use a benchmark of 1,000?
The UK as a whole is set at 1,000, so any authority's score shows directly whether its companies are more or less active than the national average. Lichfield's composite of 982 sits just below that benchmark.
What does Lichfield's ESG score indicate?
Lichfield scores 976 on ESG, 24 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 288th of 361 authorities. This reflects relatively limited clean energy, green activity, environmental accolade and social and governance signals among its companies compared with most local authorities.
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.
