Stoke-on-Trent scores 969 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 220th of 361 local authorities and 31 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest result is on Scaling, where it ranks 56th nationally and sits 29 points above the UK benchmark. Innovation and Investment both trail the UK average, pulling the composite score below 1,000.
The composite score is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively, each drawing on company-level signals across Stoke-on-Trent's 10,920 active companies, with corporate groups counted once.
Because each pillar score is averaged across a local authority's companies rather than summed, the index reflects how active local companies are on each dimension, not how large the local economy is. That makes it a fair basis for comparing authorities of very different sizes.
A score of 1,000 represents the UK as a whole, so Stoke-on-Trent's composite of 969 sits just below the national level. The likely range of 957 to 981 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.
West Midlands
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 Stoke-on-Trent's composite score of 969 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
944
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−56 points against the UK · Likely range 928–960 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, presence in innovative sectors, and coverage across the IS-8 sectors. Stoke-on-Trent ranks 282nd of 361 authorities on this pillar, with a score of 944, placing it 56 points below the UK benchmark and outperforming only 21.9% of authorities. That points to relatively limited activity in patent-holding, R&D grant receipt and innovative-sector classification among its companies.
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
1,029
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+29 points against the UK · Likely range 1,005–1,053 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are 20% scaleups, their annualised headcount growth over recent years, and accelerator attendance. At 1,029 and ranked 56th of 360 authorities, Stoke-on-Trent is 29 points above the UK benchmark and outperforms 84.4% of authorities nationally, placing it in the top 20%. Companies here are adding staff noticeably faster than the UK average, making this the authority's clearest strength.
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
929
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−71 points against the UK · Likely range 907–951 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers whether companies raised equity in the last five years, the value of that equity, and whether any of those deals were first-time raises. Stoke-on-Trent's score of 929 sits 71 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 248th of 360 authorities. That gap indicates relatively low levels of equity activity among the authority's companies compared with the national picture.
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
986
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−14 points against the UK · Likely range 971–1,001 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar draws on signals including clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance indicators, and a not-for-profit proxy. Stoke-on-Trent scores 986 here, 14 points below the UK benchmark and ranking 259th of 361 authorities. While this is the smallest gap to the UK average of any pillar, it still falls short of the national level, with the authority outperforming 28.3% of its peers.
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 Staffordshire
The chart below places Stoke-on-Trent's composite score of 969 alongside its neighbours in Staffordshire, where it ranks 5th of 9 authorities with a score 1 point above the county average of 968.
What is Stoke-on-Trent's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Stoke-on-Trent scores 969, placing it 220th of 361 local authorities and 31 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Stoke-on-Trent compare with other authorities in Staffordshire?
Stoke-on-Trent ranks 5th of 9 authorities in Staffordshire, with a score of 969, 1 point above the county average of 968.
Which pillar is strongest for Stoke-on-Trent?
Scaling is the strongest pillar, with a score of 1,029, ranking 56th of 360 authorities and 29 points above the UK benchmark.
Where does Stoke-on-Trent rank on Innovation?
It ranks 282nd of 361 authorities on Innovation, with a score of 944, which is 56 points below the UK benchmark. This is its weakest pillar.
How does Stoke-on-Trent perform on Investment?
Its Investment score is 929, ranking 248th of 360 authorities and 71 points below the UK benchmark, reflecting relatively low equity-raising activity among its companies.
How many companies are counted in Stoke-on-Trent's score?
The index counts 10,920 active companies in Stoke-on-Trent, 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.
