Central Bedfordshire scores 968 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 225th of 361 local authorities and 32 points below the UK benchmark. It ranks 2nd of 3 authorities in Bedfordshire, sitting 17 points above the county score, and 28th of 45 in the East of England, 23 points below the regional score. Innovation is its strongest pillar, while Scaling is where it falls furthest behind the UK.
Each score is an average across the area's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a smaller authority with highly active companies can outscore a larger one, making this a fair comparison across authorities of very different sizes.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so a score of 968 places Central Bedfordshire's companies, across 18,231 active companies counted, slightly below the national average on most measures. The likely range of 958 to 978 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; because that range is narrow enough to rely on, the score is published.
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 Central Bedfordshire's composite score of 968 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
980
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−20 points against the UK · Likely range 967–993 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector membership. Central Bedfordshire ranks 157th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 980, which is 20 points below the UK benchmark but ahead of 56.5% of all authorities, placing it in the upper half nationally.
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
972
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−28 points against the UK · Likely range 956–988 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are 20% scaleups, their headcount growth over three years and whether they have attended an accelerator. At 972, Central Bedfordshire sits 28 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 287th of 360 authorities, outperforming only 20.3% of peers. This is its weakest pillar, suggesting companies here are adding staff and reaching scale less often than in much of the country.
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
947
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−53 points against the UK · Likely range 928–966 · 30% of the composite
Investment looks at whether companies have raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised and whether they were first-time raisers. Central Bedfordshire's score of 947 sits 53 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 170th of 360 authorities and outperforming 52.8% of areas. This is the pillar where it falls furthest below 1,000 in absolute terms, pointing to relatively limited equity activity 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
983
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−17 points against the UK · Likely range 970–996 · 10% of the composite
ESG captures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals and a not-for-profit proxy. Central Bedfordshire scores 983 here, 17 points below the UK benchmark, but ranks 271st of 361 authorities, outperforming only 24.9% of areas. Although this is its highest absolute score, its relative rank shows ESG-linked characteristics are less prevalent among its companies than in most parts of the UK.
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 Central Bedfordshire's composite score alongside its Bedfordshire neighbours, including Bedford, which scores 971.
What is Central Bedfordshire's UK Local Growth Index score?
Central Bedfordshire scores 968 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 225th of 361 local authorities and 32 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Central Bedfordshire compare to the rest of Bedfordshire?
Central Bedfordshire ranks 2nd of 3 authorities in Bedfordshire, scoring 17 points above the county average of 951. The next-closest authority in the county is Bedford, which scores 971.
Which pillar is strongest for Central Bedfordshire?
Innovation is its strongest pillar, with a score of 980 and a national rank of 157th of 361, placing it in the upper half of all authorities.
Where does Central Bedfordshire rank in the East of England?
It ranks 28th of 45 authorities in the East of England, scoring 23 points below the regional average of 991.
How many companies are counted in Central Bedfordshire's score?
The score is based on 18,231 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
What does the likely range mean for Central Bedfordshire's score?
The likely range of 958 to 978 shows how much the score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. Because this range is narrow enough to rely on, the score is published for Central Bedfordshire.
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.
