Malvern Hills scores 1,017 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 58th of 361 local authorities and 17 points above the UK benchmark. It ranks 1st of 6 authorities in Worcestershire and 2nd of 30 in the West Midlands. Innovation is its strongest pillar, sitting 39 points above the UK benchmark at 45th in the country.
Because each pillar score is averaged across those companies rather than summed, the index reflects how active local companies are on each measure, not how large the local economy is. That makes it a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Malvern Hills sits just above the national benchmark on the composite. The likely range of 993 to 1,041 shows how much the score could move 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 Malvern Hills's composite score of 1,017 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,039
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+39 points against the UK · Likely range 1,008–1,070 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tagging and IS-8 sector membership. Malvern Hills ranks 45th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 39 points above the UK benchmark, placing it in the top 20% nationally and ahead of 87.5% of 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
1,018
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+18 points against the UK · Likely range 984–1,052 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are scaleups, their headcount growth, and accelerator participation. Malvern Hills ranks 82nd of 360 on Scaling, scoring 18 points above the UK benchmark. Its companies are adding staff at a pace that puts it in the top 25% of authorities nationally.
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
975
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−25 points against the UK · Likely range 932–1,018 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the value of equity raised, and first-time raisers, all within the last five years. At 25 points below the UK benchmark, Investment is Malvern Hills's weakest pillar, though it still ranks 90th of 360 and outperforms three quarters of authorities.
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
1,073
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+73 points against the UK · Likely range 1,043–1,103 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Malvern Hills scores 73 points above the UK benchmark on ESG, ranking 72nd of 361, and outperforms 80.1% of authorities on this pillar.
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 Worcestershire
The chart below shows how Malvern Hills's composite score compares with its neighbours across Worcestershire and the wider West Midlands.
How does Malvern Hills rank on the UK Local Growth Index?
Malvern Hills ranks 58th of 361 local authorities nationally, scoring 1,017 against a UK benchmark of 1,000. It is the top-ranked authority of the six in Worcestershire and second of 30 in the West Midlands.
What does the UK Local Growth Index measure?
It measures the characteristics of a local authority's business economy across four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. Scores are averaged across active companies so that authorities of different sizes can be compared fairly.
How does Malvern Hills compare with the rest of Worcestershire?
Malvern Hills scores 34 points above the Worcestershire average of 983, ranking 1st in the county. The next-highest authority in the county is Worcester, which scores 996.
Which pillar is strongest for Malvern Hills?
Innovation is Malvern Hills's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,039, ranking 45th of 361 authorities and sitting 39 points above the UK benchmark. It covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tagging and IS-8 sector membership.
Why does Malvern Hills score below the UK average on Investment?
Investment measures equity raisers, equity raised and first-time raisers over the last five years. At 25 points below the UK benchmark, it is the authority's weakest pillar, though at 90th of 360 nationally it still outperforms three quarters of authorities.
What is the likely range and why does it matter?
The likely range of 993 to 1,041 shows how much Malvern Hills's composite score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. A score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on, which is the case here.
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.
