Arun scores 969 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 218th of 361 local authorities and 31 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on ESG, where it sits above the national average, while Investment is the area of most relative weakness. The composite score falls below both the West Sussex county average of 995 and the South East regional average of 1,003.
Arun's composite score is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively, covering 6,967 active companies with corporate groups counted once.
Because each score is averaged across a local authority's companies rather than summed, it reflects how active local companies are on each measure, not how large the local economy is. That makes it a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so a score of 969 places Arun's companies modestly below the national average across the four pillars. The likely range of 954 to 984 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.
South East
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 Arun's composite score of 969 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
962
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−38 points against the UK · Likely range 942–982 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tagging and IS-8 sector presence. Arun ranks 212th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 962, which is 38 points below the UK benchmark, suggesting its companies are somewhat less active on these innovation signals than 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
982
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−18 points against the UK · Likely range 955–1,009 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their annualised headcount growth over recent years, and accelerator participation. At 982, Arun is 18 points below the UK average and ranks 246th of 360 authorities, making this the pillar with the largest relative gap to national peers in terms of rank, though the gap in points is the smallest of the three below-average pillars.
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
939
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−61 points against the UK · Likely range 910–968 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raised in the last five years, whether companies raised equity, and whether any raise was a first-time deal. Arun's score of 939, ranking 198th of 360 authorities and 61 points below the UK benchmark, points to comparatively limited equity activity among its companies.
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
1,041
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+41 points against the UK · Likely range 1,018–1,064 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. At 1,041, Arun is 41 points above the UK benchmark and ranks 111th of 361 authorities, placing it in the top third nationally and making this clearly its strongest pillar.
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 Sussex
The chart below sets Arun's composite score of 969 against its West Sussex neighbours, including Horsham, the county's next-highest scorer at 1,020.
What is Arun's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Arun scores 969, placing it 218th of 361 local authorities and 31 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Arun compare to the rest of West Sussex?
Arun ranks 7th of the 7 authorities in West Sussex, scoring 26 points below the county average of 995.
Which pillar is Arun strongest on?
ESG is Arun's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,041, which is 41 points above the UK benchmark and places it 111th of 361 authorities.
How does Arun perform on Innovation?
Arun scores 962 on Innovation, ranking 212th of 361 authorities and sitting 38 points below the UK average. This reflects relatively limited patent activity, R&D grant uptake and innovative sector presence among its companies.
How many companies are included in Arun's score?
The score covers 6,967 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
What does the likely range mean for Arun's score?
The likely range of 954 to 984 shows how much Arun's composite score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies. The score is only published when that range is narrow enough to be reliable.
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.
