Brighton and Hove scores 1,008 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 82nd of 361 local authorities and 8 points above the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on Investment, where it ranks 48th nationally. Scaling is the relative weak point, sitting 6 points below the UK benchmark.
Each score is averaged across the authority's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That means a smaller authority with highly active companies can outscore a much larger one, making this a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so Brighton and Hove's composite of 1,008 places it modestly above the national average. The likely range of 999 to 1,017 shows how much the score could shift 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 Brighton and Hove's composite score of 1,008 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,015
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+15 points against the UK · Likely range 1,004–1,026 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector membership. Brighton and Hove scores 1,015 on this pillar, 15 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 77th of 361 authorities and outperforming 78.7% of all authorities. That places it in the top quarter nationally, pointing to a meaningful concentration of companies with innovation credentials.
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
994
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−6 points against the UK · Likely range 979–1,009 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their headcount growth over recent years, and accelerator participation. At 994, Brighton and Hove sits 6 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 194th of 360 authorities. Companies here are adding staff and hitting growth thresholds at a rate close to, but marginally behind, the national average.
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
1,011
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+11 points against the UK · Likely range 991–1,031 · 30% of the composite
Investment tracks equity-raising activity: whether companies raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised, and whether any of those deals were a company's first ever. Brighton and Hove ranks 48th of 360 authorities on this pillar, outperforming 86.7% of authorities. Its score of 1,011 puts it in the top fifth nationally, indicating relatively active equity financing among local 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
1,016
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+16 points against the UK · Likely range 1,005–1,027 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit status. Brighton and Hove scores 1,016 here, 16 points above the UK benchmark, and ranks 166th of 361 authorities. It outperforms just over half of all authorities, a solid but mid-table position on this 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 East Sussex
The chart below compares Brighton and Hove's composite score with those of neighbouring authorities across East Sussex and the wider South East.
What is Brighton and Hove's Local Growth Index score?
Brighton and Hove scores 1,008 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 82nd of 361 local authorities. That is 8 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Brighton and Hove compare to the rest of East Sussex?
Brighton and Hove scores 21 points above the East Sussex average of 987, ranking 2nd of the 6 authorities in the county.
How does Brighton and Hove rank in the South East?
Brighton and Hove ranks 22nd of 64 authorities in the South East, scoring 5 points above the regional average of 1,003.
Which pillar is Brighton and Hove strongest on?
Investment is the strongest pillar, with Brighton and Hove ranking 48th of 360 authorities and outperforming 86.7% of all authorities. The score of 1,011 reflects relatively active equity-raising among companies in the area.
What does the Local Growth Index actually measure?
It measures the characteristics of a local authority's business economy across four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. It is not a measure of economic output or GDP.
How many companies are counted in Brighton and Hove's score?
The index covers 22,889 active companies in Brighton and Hove, 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.
