Rotherham scores 975 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 179th of 361 local authorities and 25 points below the UK benchmark. Its ESG pillar is the standout, sitting above the UK average, while Investment is the area of greatest relative weakness. The composite score falls within a likely range of 962 to 988.
Rotherham's composite score is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
The index measures the characteristics of active companies in each authority, with corporate groups counted once. Because each score is averaged across those companies, it reflects how active local businesses are rather than the size of the local economy, which makes it a fair comparison between authorities of very different scales.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Rotherham's 975 places it just below that benchmark. The likely range for the score shows how much it could move with a slightly different mix of companies, and 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 Rotherham's composite score of 975 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
980
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−20 points against the UK · Likely range 961–999 · 30% of the composite
Innovation is measured through patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, presence in innovative sectors and coverage of IS-8 sectors. Rotherham scores 980 on this pillar, 20 points below the UK average, ranking 155th of 361 authorities. It outperforms 57.1% of authorities on this measure, placing it in the top half nationally.
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
993
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−7 points against the UK · Likely range 973–1,013 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar covers whether companies are scaleups, their headcount growth over recent years, and accelerator attendance. At 993, Rotherham sits just 7 points below the UK benchmark, though it ranks 200th of 360 authorities, suggesting the gap is modest in absolute terms while the competitive field is closely bunched.
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
940
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−60 points against the UK · Likely range 917–963 · 30% of the composite
Investment captures equity-raising activity: whether companies raised equity in the last five years, the amount raised, and whether a company completed its first-ever equity deal in that period. Rotherham's score of 940 is 60 points below the UK average, its widest gap across all four pillars, and it ranks 195th of 360 authorities.
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
1,014
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+14 points against the UK · Likely range 996–1,032 · 10% of the composite
ESG reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Rotherham scores 1,014 on this pillar, 14 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 172nd of 361 authorities. This is the only pillar on which Rotherham exceeds the national average.
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 South Yorkshire
The chart below compares Rotherham's composite score with its South Yorkshire neighbours, where it ranks 2nd of 4 authorities, 6 points below the county average of 981.
What is Rotherham's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Rotherham scores 975, placing it 179th of 361 local authorities and 25 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Rotherham compare with the rest of South Yorkshire?
Rotherham ranks 2nd of 4 authorities in South Yorkshire, scoring 6 points below the county average of 981.
Which pillar is Rotherham's strongest?
ESG is Rotherham's highest-scoring pillar at 1,014, which is 14 points above the UK average and the only pillar where the authority exceeds the national benchmark.
Where is Rotherham weakest on the index?
Investment is Rotherham's lowest-scoring pillar at 940, sitting 60 points below the UK average. This pillar covers equity raised and equity-raising activity among local companies.
How many companies are counted in Rotherham's score?
The score is based on 11,943 active companies in Rotherham, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the UK benchmark of 1,000 mean?
The index is calibrated so that the UK as a whole scores 1,000. Any authority above 1,000 is performing above the national average on that measure, and any below is performing beneath it.
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.
