Wigan scores 963 on the Local Growth Index, placing it 244th of 361 UK local authorities and 37 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on ESG, where it sits in the top third of all authorities. Innovation and Investment are the areas where Wigan's companies trail the UK average most noticeably.
Each score is averaged across the authority's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a smaller authority with highly active companies can outscore a larger one, making it a fair comparison across authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Wigan's 963 places it a little below that national reference point. The likely range of 953 to 973 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; because that range is narrow enough to rely on, the score is published.
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 Wigan's composite score of 963 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
938
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−62 points against the UK · Likely range 924–952 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector presence among a place's companies. Wigan ranks 297th of 361 authorities on this pillar, with a score of 938, which is 62 points below the UK benchmark, and outperforms only 17.7% of authorities. That puts it among the lower-performing authorities on this measure.
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
1,003
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+3 points against the UK · Likely range 984–1,022 · 30% of the composite
Scaling covers scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator attendance. At 1,003, Wigan's scaling score is 3 points above the UK benchmark, and it ranks 149th of 360 authorities. That puts Wigan in the middle of the national distribution, with companies growing their workforces at a pace broadly in line with the UK as a whole.
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
924
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−76 points against the UK · Likely range 904–944 · 30% of the composite
Investment reflects equity raising activity: whether companies have raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised, and whether any raised equity for the first time. Wigan's score of 924 is 76 points below the UK benchmark, placing it 270th of 360 authorities. It outperforms a quarter of all authorities on this measure.
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
1,035
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+35 points against the UK · Likely range 1,020–1,050 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Wigan's score of 1,035 is 35 points above the UK benchmark, and it ranks 117th of 361 authorities, outperforming 67.6% of all authorities. This is Wigan's strongest pillar.
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 Greater Manchester
The chart below compares Wigan's composite score with those of neighbouring authorities in Greater Manchester.
Wigan scores 963 on the Local Growth Index, placing it 244th of 361 UK local authorities. That is 37 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Wigan compare with the rest of Greater Manchester?
Wigan ranks 5th of 10 authorities in Greater Manchester, with a score 13 points below the county average of 976. Manchester is the leading authority in the county with a score of 1,015.
How does Wigan rank in the North West region?
Wigan ranks 17th of 35 authorities in the North West, scoring 10 points below the regional average of 973.
Which pillar is Wigan's strongest?
ESG is Wigan's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,035, which is 35 points above the UK benchmark. It ranks 117th of 361 authorities on this measure, outperforming 67.6% of all authorities.
Where does Wigan rank on Innovation?
Innovation is Wigan's weakest pillar. It ranks 297th of 361 authorities, with a score of 938, which is 62 points below the UK benchmark.
How many companies are counted in Wigan's score?
The index counts 13,966 active companies in Wigan, with corporate groups counted once rather than as each of their 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.
