Worcester scores 996 on the Local Growth Index, placing it 107th of 361 UK local authorities and just 4 points below the UK benchmark. It ranks 2nd of 6 authorities in Worcestershire and 5th of 30 in the West Midlands, sitting 13 points above the county and 31 points above the region. Scaling is its strongest pillar, with companies adding staff at a pace that puts Worcester in the top 20% nationally.
Each score is calculated as an average across all active companies in the area, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a smaller authority with high-activity companies can rank alongside much larger places, making it a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Worcester's composite of 996 puts it marginally below the national benchmark. The likely range of 977 to 1,015 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is published only when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
West 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 Worcester's composite score of 996 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
996
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−4 points against the UK · Likely range 972–1,020 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures R&D grant value, patents, academic spinout status, and whether companies are tagged to innovative or IS-8 sectors. Worcester scores 996 on this pillar, 4 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 116th of 361 authorities and placing it in the top third nationally. That result suggests innovation activity among local companies sits close to, but slightly under, the UK 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
1,033
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+33 points against the UK · Likely range 999–1,067 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator attendance. Worcester ranks 50th of 360 on this pillar, scoring 1,033, which is 33 points above the UK benchmark. It outperforms 86.1% of authorities, pointing to companies adding staff at a noticeably faster rate than the national average.
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
952
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−48 points against the UK · Likely range 915–989 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raised, equity raisers and first-time raisers over the last five years. Worcester's score of 952 is 48 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 152nd of 360. That gap indicates local companies are drawing in equity investment at a rate somewhat behind the national picture.
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
1,020
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+20 points against the UK · Likely range 994–1,046 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit status. Worcester scores 1,020, placing it 20 points above the UK benchmark and ranking 152nd of 361 authorities. Companies here show a modest but positive tilt towards ESG characteristics relative to the UK as a whole.
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 Worcestershire
The chart below places Worcester's composite score alongside neighbouring authorities in Worcestershire and the wider West Midlands region.
What is Worcester's overall Local Growth Index score?
Worcester scores 996 on the Local Growth Index, placing it 107th of 361 UK local authorities. That puts it 4 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Worcester rank within Worcestershire?
Worcester ranks 2nd of 6 authorities in Worcestershire, scoring 13 points above the county average of 983. The highest-scoring authority in the county is Malvern Hills at 1,017.
Which pillar is Worcester strongest on?
Scaling is Worcester's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,033, which is 33 points above the UK benchmark. It ranks 50th of 360 authorities on this measure, placing it in the top 20% nationally.
Where is Worcester weakest on the index?
Investment is Worcester's lowest-scoring pillar at 952, which is 48 points below the UK benchmark. It ranks 152nd of 360 authorities on equity activity.
How many companies does Worcester's score cover?
The score is based on 4,910 active companies in Worcester, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
How does Worcester compare to the West Midlands region?
Worcester scores 31 points above the West Midlands regional average of 965, ranking 5th of 30 authorities in the region.
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.
