North West Leicestershire scores 1,038 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 35th of 361 local authorities and 38 points above the UK benchmark. It ranks 1st of 8 authorities in Leicestershire and 2nd of 35 in the East Midlands. Its standout strength is Scaling, where it sits in the top 2% of authorities nationally.
Each pillar score is averaged across the district's 5,402 active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means the score reflects how active local companies are, not the raw size of the local economy, which makes it a fair basis for comparing authorities of very different scales.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so a score above that figure means North West Leicestershire's companies are more active across the index measures than the UK as a whole. The likely range shown alongside each score indicates how much it could move with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
East 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 North West Leicestershire's composite score of 1,038 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,027
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+27 points against the UK · Likely range 996–1,058 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, R&D grant value, academic spinout status, and whether companies operate in innovative or IS-8 sectors. North West Leicestershire scores 1,027 on this pillar, 27 points above the UK benchmark, placing it 61st of 361 authorities and in the top 20% nationally. Its companies show a modest but clear edge over the UK average on these measures.
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
1,120
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+120 points against the UK · Likely range 1,077–1,163 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator participation. At 1,120, North West Leicestershire ranks 4th of 360 authorities on this pillar, 120 points above the UK benchmark and outperforming 98.9% of all authorities. Companies here are adding staff at a notably faster rate than the UK average, making Scaling the district's defining strength.
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
966
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−34 points against the UK · Likely range 929–1,003 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raising activity, the amount of equity raised, and first-time raisers, all in the last five years. North West Leicestershire scores 966 on this pillar, 34 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 110th of 360 authorities. While it sits in the top third nationally, this is the one area where local companies trail the UK 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
1,043
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+43 points against the UK · Likely range 1,014–1,072 · 10% of the composite
ESG reflects company-level signals across clean energy, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance indicators, and not-for-profit status. North West Leicestershire scores 1,043 here, 43 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 106th of 361 authorities. Its companies compare well with the UK on these measures, placing the district in the top third nationally.
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 Leicestershire
The chart below compares North West Leicestershire's composite score of 1,038 with its neighbours across Leicestershire and the wider East Midlands.
How does North West Leicestershire rank on the UK Local Growth Index?
North West Leicestershire ranks 35th of 361 local authorities nationally, 1st of 8 in Leicestershire, and 2nd of 35 in the East Midlands.
What is North West Leicestershire's strongest pillar on the index?
Scaling is its strongest pillar, with a score of 1,120 and a national rank of 4th of 360 authorities. That places it in the top 2% of all authorities on headcount growth, scaleup activity and accelerator participation.
Where does North West Leicestershire underperform relative to the UK?
Investment is the one pillar where North West Leicestershire falls below the UK benchmark, scoring 966, which is 34 points below the UK average of 1,000.
How does North West Leicestershire compare with the rest of Leicestershire?
It ranks 1st of 8 authorities in Leicestershire, scoring 69 points above the county score of 969. The next-highest authority in the county is Charnwood, which scores 1,005.
What does the UK Local Growth Index actually measure?
It measures the characteristics of a local authority's companies across four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. It is not a measure of economic output or GDP.
Why does the index show a likely range alongside each score?
The likely range shows how much a score could move with a slightly different mix of companies in the area. A score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
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.
