Cumberland scores 969 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 221st of 361 local authorities and 31 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest result is on ESG, where it ranks 64th nationally, well above the UK benchmark. Innovation and Investment sit below the benchmark and hold the composite score down.
Cumberland's composite score is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
Each score is an average across active companies in the authority, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a smaller authority with highly active companies can outrank a much larger one, making this a fair comparison across authorities of different sizes.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so a score of 969 means Cumberland's companies are, on average, slightly less active across these measures than the UK as a whole. Every published score comes with a likely range showing how much it could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; Cumberland's composite range of 957 to 981 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 Cumberland's composite score of 969 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
934
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−66 points against the UK · Likely range 918–950 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags. Cumberland ranks 311th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 66 points below the UK benchmark, and outperforms only 13.9% of authorities. That places it among the weaker performers nationally on the measures that capture research activity and innovative sector presence.
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
1,009
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+9 points against the UK · Likely range 984–1,034 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are growing rapidly, headcount growth rates and accelerator participation. Cumberland's score of 1,009 sits 9 points above the UK benchmark, with a rank of 124th of 360 authorities. It outperforms 65.6% of authorities, suggesting its companies are adding staff and reaching growth milestones at a rate broadly in line with, and marginally ahead of, the national picture.
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
927
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−73 points against the UK · Likely range 904–950 · 30% of the composite
Investment measures equity-raising activity: whether companies have raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised and whether they were first-time raisers. At 927, Cumberland's score is 73 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 255th of 360 authorities. It outperforms 29.2% of authorities, pointing to a local business base that is less connected to external equity than most parts of the UK.
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
1,079
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+79 points against the UK · Likely range 1,059–1,099 · 10% of the composite
ESG covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Cumberland's ESG score of 1,079 is 79 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 64th of 361 authorities and outperforming 82.3% of them. This is Cumberland's strongest pillar by a clear margin, reflecting relatively high ESG-related activity among 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 sets Cumberland's composite score against its Cumbria neighbour, Westmorland and Furness, and other nearby authorities in the North West.
What is Cumberland's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Cumberland scores 969, placing it 221st of 361 local authorities and 31 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Cumberland compare to the rest of Cumbria?
Cumberland ranks 1st of the 2 authorities in Cumbria, scoring 1 point above the county average of 968. Westmorland and Furness, the county's other authority, scores 967.
How does Cumberland compare to the North West region?
Cumberland ranks 14th of 35 authorities in the North West, scoring 4 points below the regional average of 973.
Which pillar is Cumberland's strongest?
ESG is Cumberland's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,079, ranking 64th of 361 authorities and 79 points above the UK benchmark.
Where is Cumberland weakest on the index?
Innovation is Cumberland's lowest-scoring pillar at 934, ranking 311th of 361 authorities and 66 points below the UK benchmark.
How many companies are counted in Cumberland's score?
The score covers 10,335 active companies in Cumberland, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate 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.
