Leeds ranks 78th of 361 UK local authorities, with a Local Growth Score of 1,009: 9 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000, 33 points above the Yorkshire and The Humber score and 35 points above the West Yorkshire score. It stands out most on Scaling, at 1,036; its biggest opportunity is ESG, at 987.
Leeds's scores are built from the area's 50,088 active companies, each measured on the same 16 characteristics.
The Local Growth Index scores every UK local authority on four pillars (Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG) using company-level data from the Beauhurst platform. Each measure is averaged across the area's companies, so a score reflects how active the typical local company is rather than how large the local economy is.
Every score is set against a fixed UK benchmark of 1,000, the score of the UK as a whole, so Leeds's 1,009 puts it 9 points above the UK. Its likely range, 1,002–1,016, shows how much the score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. A score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
Yorkshire and The Humber
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 Leeds's composite score of 1,009 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,013
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+13 points against the UK · Likely range 1,004–1,022 · 30% of the composite
Leeds sits in the upper half nationally on Innovation, ahead of 76.7% of authorities. The Innovation pillar measures how rooted local companies are in research and new technology: granted patents filed in the last 20 years, university spinouts, R&D grant funding won in the last five years, and the share of companies in innovative sectors or the eight IS-8 growth sectors.
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
1,036
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+36 points against the UK · Likely range 1,025–1,047 · 30% of the composite
Scaling is Leeds's strongest pillar relative to other authorities, scoring 1,036 (36 points above the UK) and outperforming 87.8% of authorities nationally. The Scaling pillar looks past the startup phase: how many local companies are scaleups, how fast established companies are adding staff, and how many have attended an accelerator.
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
986
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−14 points against the UK · Likely range 973–999 · 30% of the composite
Leeds sits in the upper half nationally on Investment, ahead of 80.0% of authorities. The Investment pillar captures equity finance: how many local companies raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised, and how many raised for the first time.
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
987
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−13 points against the UK · Likely range 979–995 · 10% of the composite
ESG is Leeds's clearest opportunity, scoring 987 (13 points below the UK). It currently outperforms 29.1% of authorities. The ESG pillar tracks clean energy and other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and the share of companies set up on a not-for-profit basis.
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 West Yorkshire
Leeds scores 33 points above the Yorkshire and The Humber score, and 35 points above the West Yorkshire score.
Leeds has a Local Growth Score of 1,009, ranking 78th of 361 authorities nationally. The UK as a whole scores 1,000. Its pillar scores are Innovation 1,013, Scaling 1,036, Investment 986, ESG 987.
How is the Local Growth Score calculated?
Each company is measured on 16 characteristics, which are averaged across the area and compared with a fixed UK baseline. The results are combined into four pillar scores, and a composite weighted 30% each to Innovation, Scaling and Investment and 10% to ESG, on a scale where the UK scores 1,000.
What is Leeds's strongest economic pillar?
Relative to other authorities, Scaling is Leeds's strongest pillar at 1,036, placing Leeds in the top 20% of UK local authorities on that pillar.
Where does Leeds have the most room to improve?
ESG is Leeds's weakest pillar relative to other authorities, at 987, 13 points below the UK benchmark. It is the clearest opportunity for local economic development.
How does Leeds compare to the rest of West Yorkshire?
Leeds ranks 1st of the 5 authorities in West Yorkshire, scoring 35 points above the county score. The next-highest-scoring authority in the county is Wakefield, on 970.
How many active companies are based in Leeds?
Leeds has 50,088 active, non-dormant companies with their head office there. Every measure in the Local Growth Index is averaged across these companies.
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.
