Brentwood scores 964 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 242nd of 361 local authorities and 36 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on Scaling, where it sits in the top third of authorities nationally. Investment and ESG are the areas where Brentwood trails the UK most noticeably.
The index measures the characteristics of active companies in each area, with corporate groups counted once. Because scores are averaged across those companies rather than summed, a small authority with highly active firms can rank above a much larger one, making this a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Brentwood's score of 964 places it modestly below the national average. Each score is published alongside a likely range, which shows how much the result could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; Brentwood's composite range of 950 to 978 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 Brentwood's composite score of 964 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
953
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−47 points against the UK · Likely range 935–971 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector presence. Brentwood ranks 248th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 953, which is 47 points below the UK benchmark, suggesting its companies are less active across 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
1,013
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+13 points against the UK · Likely range 987–1,039 · 30% of the composite
Scaling covers whether companies qualify as scaleups, their headcount growth over the latest four years of accounts, and accelerator attendance. At 1,013, Brentwood is 13 points above the UK benchmark and ranks 99th of 360 authorities, outperforming 72.5% of all authorities: companies here are adding staff at a slightly faster rate than the UK norm.
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
927
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−73 points against the UK · Likely range 901–953 · 30% of the composite
Investment measures equity raisers, the value of equity raised in the last five years, and first-time raisers. Brentwood scores 927, some 73 points below the UK benchmark and ranking 259th of 360 authorities, indicating that equity activity among its companies is relatively limited 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
958
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−42 points against the UK · Likely range 939–977 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Brentwood ranks 316th of 361 authorities here, scoring 958, which is 42 points below the UK benchmark: this is Brentwood's weakest pillar relative to peers, with its companies showing lower levels of these characteristics than most authorities 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 Essex
The chart below places Brentwood's composite score alongside its neighbours in Essex, where it ranks 5th of 14 authorities, sitting 8 points above the county score of 956 and 27 points below the East of England regional score of 991.
Brentwood scores 964 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 242nd of 361 local authorities and 36 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Brentwood compare with the rest of Essex?
Brentwood ranks 5th of 14 authorities in Essex and scores 8 points above the county average of 956.
Which pillar is Brentwood strongest on?
Scaling is Brentwood's strongest pillar. It scores 1,013, placing it 99th of 360 authorities and 13 points above the UK benchmark.
How many active companies are counted in Brentwood's score?
The index counts 7,639 active companies in Brentwood, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
What does the UK Local Growth Index actually measure?
The index measures the characteristics of a place's companies across four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. It is not a measure of economic output or GDP.
Why is Brentwood's ESG score relatively low?
Brentwood ranks 316th of 361 authorities on ESG, scoring 42 points below the UK benchmark. The ESG pillar reflects signals such as clean energy activity, environmental accolades, and social and governance characteristics among local companies.
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.
