Westmorland and Furness scores 967 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 230th of 361 local authorities and 33 points below the UK benchmark. Its ESG pillar stands out, ranking 31st nationally and 109 points above the UK. Investment is the weakest area, sitting 79 points below the UK benchmark.
Each score is an average across the area's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a smaller authority with highly active companies can score above a larger one, making this a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Westmorland and Furness at 967 sits just below that national baseline. The likely range of 955 to 979 shows how much the score could shift 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 Westmorland and Furness's composite score of 967 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
949
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−51 points against the UK · Likely range 933–965 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, and whether companies are tagged with innovative sectors or IS-8 sectors. Westmorland and Furness scores 949 on this pillar, placing it 264th of 361 authorities and 51 points below the UK benchmark, suggesting its companies are less active on these innovation signals than 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
983
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−17 points against the UK · Likely range 961–1,005 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar captures whether companies are scaleups, their headcount growth over recent years, and accelerator attendance. At 983, Westmorland and Furness sits 17 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 239th of 360, a modest gap that indicates its companies are broadly keeping pace with national norms on growth and workforce expansion.
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
921
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−79 points against the UK · Likely range 899–943 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raised in the last five years, whether companies have raised equity at all, and whether any of that fundraising was a first-ever deal. At 921, this is the area's weakest pillar, ranking 282nd of 360 and falling 79 points below the UK benchmark, pointing to relatively limited equity activity among its companies.
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
1,109
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+109 points against the UK · Likely range 1,088–1,130 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. Westmorland and Furness ranks 31st of 361 authorities here, scoring 1,109, which is 109 points above the UK benchmark and places it in the top 10% nationally, indicating notably strong ESG characteristics across its 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 Cumbria
The chart below compares the Westmorland and Furness composite score against neighbouring authorities in Cumbria and the wider North West region.
What is Westmorland and Furness's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Westmorland and Furness scores 967, placing it 230th of 361 local authorities and 33 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Westmorland and Furness compare to the rest of Cumbria?
It ranks 2nd of the 2 authorities in Cumbria, scoring 1 point below the county score of 968.
Which pillar is strongest for Westmorland and Furness?
ESG is the strongest pillar, with a score of 1,109, ranking 31st nationally and sitting 109 points above the UK benchmark.
Where does Westmorland and Furness rank for investment activity?
Investment is its weakest pillar, ranked 282nd of 360 authorities at 921, which is 79 points below the UK benchmark.
How many companies are counted in the Westmorland and Furness score?
The index covers 10,917 active companies in Westmorland and Furness, with corporate groups counted once.
How does Westmorland and Furness compare to the North West region?
It ranks 15th of 35 authorities in the North West and scores 6 points below the regional average of 973.
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.
