Knowsley scores 962 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 250th of 361 local authorities and 38 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on Scaling, where it ranks 52nd nationally and sits 31 points above the UK. Innovation and Investment are the areas pulling the composite below the benchmark.
Each score is calculated as an average across the 5,783 active companies in the authority, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a small authority with highly active companies can outscore a much larger one, making the index a fair comparison between places of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Knowsley's 962 puts it modestly below that national reference point. The likely range of 946 to 978 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 here.
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 Knowsley's composite score of 962 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
921
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−79 points against the UK · Likely range 900–942 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags. Knowsley ranks 343rd of 361 authorities on this pillar, with a score of 921, placing it 79 points below the UK benchmark. That result suggests companies here have relatively limited exposure to patents, R&D grants and the curated innovative sectors that drive this pillar.
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
1,031
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+31 points against the UK · Likely range 999–1,063 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are classified as scaleups, their three-year headcount growth rate and accelerator attendance. On this pillar Knowsley ranks 52nd of 360 authorities, scoring 1,031 and sitting 31 points above the UK benchmark. It outperforms 85.6% of all authorities, pointing to notably stronger-than-average workforce growth and high-growth signals among local companies.
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
923
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−77 points against the UK · Likely range 893–953 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers whether companies have raised equity in the last five years, the value of that equity and whether they were first-time raisers. Knowsley scores 923 on Investment, 77 points below the UK and ranked 276th of 360, indicating that equity activity among its companies is below the national level.
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
998
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−2 points against the UK · Likely range 975–1,021 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar captures clean energy and other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. Knowsley scores 998 here, just 2 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 221st of 361 authorities. That near-benchmark result reflects broadly average ESG characteristics 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 Merseyside
The chart below sets Knowsley's composite score against its Merseyside neighbours, where it ranks 2nd of the 5 authorities in the county, scoring 1 point above the county average of 961.
What is Knowsley's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Knowsley scores 962, placing it 250th of 361 local authorities and 38 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Knowsley compare to other Merseyside authorities?
Knowsley ranks 2nd of 5 authorities in Merseyside, scoring 1 point above the county average of 961.
Which pillar is Knowsley's strongest?
Scaling is Knowsley's strongest pillar, where it ranks 52nd of 360 authorities with a score of 1,031, placing it 31 points above the UK benchmark and ahead of 85.6% of all authorities.
Where does Knowsley rank on Innovation?
Knowsley ranks 343rd of 361 authorities on Innovation, with a score of 921, which is 79 points below the UK benchmark.
How many companies are counted in Knowsley's score?
The index covers 5,783 active companies in Knowsley, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
What does the likely range on Knowsley's score mean?
The likely range of 946 to 978 shows how much the composite score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies. Knowsley's score is published because that range is narrow enough to rely on.
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.
