Orkney Islands ranks 8th of 361 local authorities in the UK Local Growth Index, with a composite score of 1,169, placing it 169 points above the UK benchmark. Its ESG score is the highest of any authority in the UK, and its Innovation score puts it in the top 2% nationally. Investment is the one area where its companies sit close to the UK average.
The composite score is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
Each score is averaged across the authority's 819 active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a smaller authority like Orkney Islands can be compared fairly with a larger one: what matters is how active local companies are across each measure, not the size of the local economy.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000 on every pillar and on the composite, so Orkney Islands' composite of 1,169 means its companies collectively score well above that national benchmark. The likely range of 1,071 to 1,267 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.
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 Orkney Islands's composite score of 1,169 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,248
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+248 points against the UK · Likely range 1,072–1,424 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative-sector tagging and IS-8 sector classification. Orkney Islands ranks 6th of 361 authorities on this pillar, sitting 248 points above the UK benchmark, and its companies outperform 98.3% of all authorities. That places it firmly in the top 2% nationally for innovation 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
1,089
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+89 points against the UK · Likely range 995–1,183 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their three-year headcount growth rate, and accelerator participation. Orkney Islands ranks 13th of 360 authorities, 89 points above the UK benchmark, and outperforms 96.4% of authorities. Its companies are adding staff noticeably faster 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
988
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−12 points against the UK · Likely range 892–1,084 · 30% of the composite
Investment reflects equity-raising activity: whether companies raised equity in the last five years, the value of that equity, and whether a company completed its first-ever equity deal in that period. At 988, Orkney Islands sits 12 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 69th of 360. While still in the top 20% nationally, this is the one area where its companies are broadly in line with, rather than clearly ahead of, 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
1,716
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+716 points against the UK · Likely range 1,532–1,900 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Orkney Islands ranks 1st of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 1,716, which is 716 points above the UK benchmark. No other authority in the UK scores higher on ESG, reflecting the extent to which its companies are active across environmental and social measures.
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 Orkney Islands' composite score and pillar scores compare with those of its neighbours in Scotland.
What is Orkney Islands' overall score in the UK Local Growth Index?
Orkney Islands has a composite score of 1,169, placing it 169 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000 and ranking it 8th of 361 local authorities nationally.
How does Orkney Islands rank within Scotland?
Orkney Islands ranks 1st of 32 Scottish authorities, scoring 177 points above the Scottish average of 992.
Which pillar is Orkney Islands strongest on?
ESG is its strongest pillar, with a score of 1,716, which is 716 points above the UK benchmark and the highest ESG score of any local authority in the UK.
How does Orkney Islands perform on Innovation?
It ranks 6th of 361 authorities on Innovation, scoring 1,248, which is 248 points above the UK benchmark and places it in the top 2% nationally.
What does the likely range for Orkney Islands' score mean?
The likely range of 1,071 to 1,267 shows how much the composite score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. Scores are only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
How many companies are counted in Orkney Islands' score?
The score is based on 819 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as each of their individual 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.
