West Northamptonshire scores 971 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 206th of 361 local authorities and 29 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest pillar is Investment, where it outperforms 65% of authorities. Scaling is the relative weak point, with companies adding staff more slowly than in most comparable places.
Each score is averaged across active companies in the authority, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a place with 27,095 active companies can be compared fairly with a much larger or smaller authority, because the score reflects how active local companies are rather than how many there are.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so West Northamptonshire's composite of 971 sits modestly below that national baseline. The likely range of 963 to 979 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.
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 West Northamptonshire's composite score of 971 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
967
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−33 points against the UK · Likely range 957–977 · 30% of the composite
Innovation is measured through granted patent families, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, presence in innovative sectors, and classification within the IS-8 sectors. West Northamptonshire scores 967 on this pillar, 33 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 199th of 361 authorities and outperforming 44.9% of them. Companies here are engaging with innovation-related activity at a rate slightly below 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
979
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−21 points against the UK · Likely range 966–992 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar captures whether companies meet the 20% scaleup threshold, their annualised headcount growth rate, and accelerator attendance. At 979, West Northamptonshire ranks 257th of 360 authorities, 21 points below the UK benchmark, and outperforms only 28.6% of authorities. This is the area's weakest pillar relative to peers, suggesting that rapid employee growth is less common here than elsewhere.
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
960
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−40 points against the UK · Likely range 944–976 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers whether companies raised equity in the last five years, the amount raised, and whether a company completed its first-ever equity deal in that period. West Northamptonshire's Investment score of 960 ranks 126th of 360 authorities, placing it in the top half nationally and ahead of 65% of all authorities. Despite sitting 40 points below the UK benchmark, this is the area's strongest pillar by national rank.
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
992
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−8 points against the UK · Likely range 981–1,003 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. West Northamptonshire scores 992, just 8 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 239th of 361 authorities. While its rank is in the lower half, the score itself is close to the national baseline, indicating that ESG-relevant characteristics are reasonably well represented across local companies.
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 Northamptonshire
The chart below sets West Northamptonshire's composite score of 971 alongside its Northamptonshire neighbour, North Northamptonshire, which scores 955.
What does West Northamptonshire score on the UK Local Growth Index?
West Northamptonshire scores 971, placing it 206th of 361 local authorities. That puts it 29 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does West Northamptonshire compare with the rest of the East Midlands?
West Northamptonshire ranks 18th of 35 authorities in the East Midlands and scores 1 point below the regional average of 972.
How does West Northamptonshire compare within Northamptonshire?
West Northamptonshire ranks 1st of 2 authorities in Northamptonshire, scoring 6 points above the county average of 965.
Which pillar is West Northamptonshire strongest on?
Investment is its strongest pillar by national rank, placing 126th of 360 authorities and outperforming 65% of all authorities. It covers equity raising activity among local companies.
Where does West Northamptonshire rank on Scaling?
Scaling is the area's weakest pillar, ranked 257th of 360 authorities with a score of 979, which is 21 points below the UK benchmark. The pillar measures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator attendance.
How many companies are counted in West Northamptonshire's score?
The index covers 27,095 active companies in West Northamptonshire, 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.
