St. Helens scores 962 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 252nd of 361 local authorities and 38 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on Scaling, where it sits in the top third of all authorities. Investment is the area where it trails the UK most sharply.
The index measures the characteristics of active companies in each authority, with corporate groups counted once. Because scores are 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 St. Helens at 962 sits just below that national reference point. The likely range of 947 to 977 shows how far 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.
North 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 St. Helens's composite score of 962 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
945
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−55 points against the UK · Likely range 924–966 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant values, and whether companies are tagged to innovative sectors or IS-8 sectors. St. Helens ranks 280th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 945 and sitting 55 points below the UK benchmark, outperforming only 22.4% of authorities. That places it toward the lower end of the national distribution on the indicators of innovative 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
1,014
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+14 points against the UK · Likely range 984–1,044 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their annualised headcount growth over recent years, and whether they have attended an accelerator. At 1,014, St. Helens sits 14 points above the UK benchmark and ranks 97th of 360 authorities, outperforming 73.1% of all areas. This is the authority's strongest pillar, pointing to comparatively active employment growth among its companies.
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
913
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−87 points against the UK · Likely range 886–940 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers whether companies raised equity in the last five years, the amounts raised, and whether any completed their first-ever equity deal in that period. St. Helens ranks 309th of 360 on this pillar, scoring 913 and falling 87 points below the UK benchmark. This is the authority's weakest pillar and the area with the most distance from the national 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
1,004
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+4 points against the UK · Likely range 981–1,027 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar reflects activity across clean energy, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. St. Helens scores 1,004, fractionally above the UK benchmark by 4 points, and ranks 203rd of 361 authorities. Performance here is broadly in line with the national picture.
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 Merseyside
The chart below compares St. Helens against its Merseyside neighbours, where it ranks 3rd of 5 authorities with a score of 962, just 1 point above the county average of 961.
What is St. Helens' score on the UK Local Growth Index?
St. Helens scores 962, placing it 252nd of 361 local authorities and 38 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does St. Helens compare to other Merseyside authorities?
St. Helens ranks 3rd of 5 authorities in Merseyside, with a score of 962 that is 1 point above the county average of 961.
Which pillar is St. Helens strongest on?
Scaling is St. Helens' strongest pillar, where it scores 1,014 and ranks 97th of 360 authorities, outperforming 73.1% of all areas.
Where does St. Helens underperform most on the index?
Investment is its weakest pillar, scoring 913 and ranking 309th of 360 authorities, placing it 87 points below the UK benchmark.
How many companies are counted in St. Helens' score?
The score is based on 6,556 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
What does the likely range mean for St. Helens' score?
The likely range of 947 to 977 shows how far 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.
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.
