Stirling ranks 86th of 361 UK local authorities, with a composite score of 1,006, placing it 6 points above the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on Scaling, where it sits in the top 10% of all authorities. Investment is the area where it trails the UK most noticeably.
Stirling's composite score draws equally on Innovation, Scaling and Investment (each weighted at 30%) and ESG (weighted at 10%), covering 4,602 active companies with corporate groups counted once.
Each score is an average across local companies, which means a smaller authority with highly active businesses can rank above a larger one with more companies but lower activity per company. That makes the index a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Stirling's composite of 1,006 sits just above the national baseline. The likely range for that score runs from 981 to 1,031, reflecting how much the result could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
Scotland
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 Stirling's composite score of 1,006 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
991
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−9 points against the UK · Likely range 959–1,023 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector presence. Stirling scores 991 on this pillar, ranking 125th of 361 authorities and sitting 9 points below the UK benchmark, placing it in the upper half of all authorities but with room to close the gap to the national 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
1,047
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+47 points against the UK · Likely range 1,007–1,087 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator participation. At 1,047, Stirling ranks 32nd of 360 authorities, 47 points above the UK benchmark and in the top 10% nationally. Its companies are adding staff noticeably faster than the UK average, and it outperforms 91.1% of authorities on this pillar.
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
947
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−53 points against the UK · Likely range 910–984 · 30% of the composite
Investment captures equity raisers, the amount of equity raised and first-time raisers over the last five years. Stirling's score of 947 is 53 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 171st of 360 authorities. Equity activity among local companies is below the national level, making this the pillar with the most scope for improvement.
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
1,101
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+101 points against the UK · Likely range 1,064–1,138 · 10% of the composite
ESG reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxies. Stirling scores 1,101 here, ranking 35th of 361 authorities and sitting 101 points above the UK benchmark. It outperforms 90.3% of all authorities on this pillar, placing it firmly in the top 10% nationally.
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 Scotland
The chart below compares Stirling's composite score with its neighbouring authorities across Scotland, where the regional average stands at 992.
What is Stirling's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Stirling scores 1,006 on the composite index, placing it 86th of 361 UK local authorities and 6 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Stirling compare with the rest of Scotland?
Stirling ranks 8th of 32 Scottish authorities and sits 14 points above the Scottish average of 992.
What is Stirling's strongest pillar on the index?
Scaling is Stirling's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,047, ranking 32nd of 360 authorities and placing it in the top 10% nationally.
Where does Stirling rank on Investment?
Stirling ranks 171st of 360 authorities on Investment, with a score of 947, which is 53 points below the UK benchmark.
How many companies are counted in Stirling's score?
The index covers 4,602 active companies in Stirling, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
What does the likely range on Stirling's score mean?
The likely range of 981 to 1,031 shows how much the composite score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies. Stirling's range is narrow enough that the score is considered reliable and is published.
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.
