Renfrewshire scores 975 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 184th of 361 local authorities and 25 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest result is on Scaling, where it sits just above the UK average, while Investment is the area where it trails most clearly. All four pillar scores are published.
Each score is averaged across the authority's 7,232 active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a smaller authority with highly active companies can outscore a much larger one, making this a fair basis for comparison across authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Renfrewshire's 975 sits modestly below that benchmark. Each score also comes with a likely range showing 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, and all four of Renfrewshire's pillar scores meet that test.
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 Renfrewshire's composite score of 975 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
974
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−26 points against the UK · Likely range 950–998 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, and whether companies are tagged with innovative or IS-8 sectors. Renfrewshire scores 974 on this pillar, ranking 174th of 361 authorities and sitting 26 points below the UK benchmark, placing it in the top half of all authorities but with room to close the gap on the national average.
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
1,004
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+4 points against the UK · Likely range 976–1,032 · 30% of the composite
Scaling covers whether companies qualify as 20% scaleups, their headcount growth over the latest four years of accounts, and accelerator attendance. At 1,004, Renfrewshire's Scaling score edges 4 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 142nd of 360 authorities; companies here are adding staff at a rate broadly in line with, and fractionally ahead of, the national picture.
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
932
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−68 points against the UK · Likely range 903–961 · 30% of the composite
Investment captures equity raisers, the value of equity raised, and first-time raisers, all over the last five years. Renfrewshire's score of 932 ranks 225th of 360 authorities, sitting 68 points below the UK benchmark; this is the authority's weakest pillar and the area where its companies show the clearest gap relative to the UK as a whole.
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
1,018
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+18 points against the UK · Likely range 993–1,043 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. Renfrewshire scores 1,018 here, 18 points above the UK benchmark and ranking 159th of 361 authorities, suggesting its companies show somewhat stronger ESG characteristics than the national average.
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 places Renfrewshire's composite score alongside its Scottish neighbours, showing where it sits within the broader regional context.
What is Renfrewshire's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Renfrewshire scores 975, placing it 184th of 361 local authorities. That puts it 25 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Renfrewshire compare to the rest of Scotland?
Within Scotland's 32 local authorities, Renfrewshire ranks 17th, scoring 17 points below the Scottish average of 992.
Which pillar is Renfrewshire strongest on?
Scaling is Renfrewshire's highest-scoring pillar at 1,004, placing it 142nd of 360 authorities and 4 points above the UK benchmark.
Where does Renfrewshire score lowest?
Investment is Renfrewshire's weakest pillar, with a score of 932 that sits 68 points below the UK benchmark. It ranks 225th of 360 authorities on this measure.
What does the UK Local Growth Index actually measure?
It measures the characteristics of local companies across four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. It is not a measure of economic output or GDP; rather, it reflects how active local companies are across those dimensions.
How many companies does Renfrewshire's score cover?
The score is based on 7,232 active companies in Renfrewshire, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate 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.
