Bedford scores 971 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 204th of 361 authorities and 29 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest result is on Innovation, where it ranks 175th nationally. Across all four pillars, scores sit close to but below the UK benchmark.
Each pillar score is averaged across the authority's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a smaller authority with highly active companies can outscore a larger one, making this a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so Bedford's score of 971 sits 29 points below that national reference point. The likely range of 959 to 983 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.
East of England
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 Bedford's composite score of 971 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
973
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−27 points against the UK · Likely range 956–990 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative-sector tags and IS-8 sector membership. Bedford ranks 175th of 361 authorities on this pillar, with a score of 973, placing it 27 points below the UK benchmark and just inside the top half of all authorities.
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 measures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator attendance. Bedford's score of 993 is its closest to the UK benchmark, sitting just 7 points below it, and the authority ranks 196th of 360 on this measure.
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
944
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−56 points against the UK · Likely range 921–967 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raising activity: whether companies raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised, and whether any deal was a first-time raise. Bedford's score of 944 is its furthest below the UK benchmark, at 56 points, placing it 180th 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
983
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−17 points against the UK · Likely range 967–999 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Bedford ranks 268th of 361 on this pillar, with a score of 983, which is 17 points below the UK benchmark and the authority's lowest-ranked pillar position 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 Bedfordshire
The chart below places Bedford's composite score alongside its neighbours in Bedfordshire, where it ranks 1st of 3 authorities with a score 20 points above the county average of 951.
Bedford scores 971 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 204th of 361 local authorities and 29 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Bedford compare to the rest of Bedfordshire?
Bedford ranks 1st of 3 authorities in Bedfordshire and scores 20 points above the county average of 951. The next-highest authority in the county, Central Bedfordshire, scores 968.
How does Bedford compare to the East of England region?
Bedford ranks 25th of 45 authorities in the East of England and scores 20 points below the regional average of 991.
Which pillar is Bedford's strongest?
Innovation is Bedford's strongest pillar, where it ranks 175th of 361 authorities with a score of 973, though this remains 27 points below the UK benchmark.
What does the Local Growth Index measure?
The index measures the characteristics of a local authority's business economy across four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. It reflects how active local companies are on each dimension, not the size or output of the local economy.
How many companies are counted in Bedford's score?
Bedford's score is based on 12,263 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual 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.
