Plymouth scores 983 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 151st of 361 local authorities and 17 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on ESG, where it ranks 74th nationally and sits 71 points above the UK. Innovation is the weakest pillar, sitting 29 points below the benchmark.
The index measures the characteristics of active companies in each area, with corporate groups counted once. Because each score is averaged across those companies rather than summed, a smaller authority with highly active businesses can rank above a much larger one, making this a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Plymouth's score of 983 places it modestly below the national average. Each score also comes with a likely range, which shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; Plymouth's range of 969 to 997 is narrow enough for the score to be published with confidence.
South West
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 Plymouth's composite score of 983 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
971
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−29 points against the UK · Likely range 950–992 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, R&D grant value, academic spinout status, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector classifications. Plymouth ranks 182nd of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 971, which is 29 points below the UK benchmark, and it outperforms just under half of all authorities. That puts innovation as Plymouth's weakest area relative to the national picture.
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
997
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−3 points against the UK · Likely range 974–1,020 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator participation. Plymouth scores 997 on this pillar, just 3 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 177th of 360 authorities. It outperforms just over half of all authorities, making this a broadly mid-table result that is close to the national level.
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
950
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−50 points against the UK · Likely range 924–976 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the amount of equity raised and first-time raisers, all over the last five years. Plymouth scores 950 here, 50 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 154th of 360 authorities. Despite sitting below the benchmark, it still outperforms 57.2% of authorities, reflecting how dispersed equity activity is across the UK.
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
1,071
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+71 points against the UK · Likely range 1,053–1,089 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Plymouth's score of 1,071 is 71 points above the UK benchmark, placing it 74th of 361 authorities and in the top quarter nationally. It outperforms 79.5% of all authorities, making ESG a clear relative strength for Plymouth.
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 Devon
The chart below compares Plymouth's composite score against its neighbours in Devon.
Plymouth scores 983 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 151st of 361 local authorities. That is 17 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Plymouth compare to the rest of Devon?
Plymouth ranks 6th of 10 authorities in Devon and scores 10 points below the county score of 993. Exeter is the leading authority in Devon with a score of 1,037.
Which pillar is Plymouth strongest on?
ESG is Plymouth's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,071, which is 71 points above the UK benchmark. It ranks 74th of 361 authorities on this measure and outperforms 79.5% of all authorities.
Which pillar is Plymouth weakest on?
Innovation is Plymouth's weakest pillar, scoring 971, which is 29 points below the UK benchmark. Plymouth ranks 182nd of 361 authorities on Innovation.
How does Plymouth compare to the South West region?
Plymouth ranks 17th of 27 authorities in the South West and scores 23 points below the regional average of 1,006.
How many companies are counted in Plymouth's score?
Plymouth's score is based on 9,667 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as 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.
