Cherwell ranks 12th of 361 local authorities in the UK Local Growth Index, scoring 1,096 against the UK benchmark of 1,000. That places it 96 points above the UK benchmark and 3rd within Oxfordshire, behind Oxford and one other authority. Its strongest result is on Innovation, where it ranks 7th nationally.
Each score is an average across the area's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a smaller authority with highly active companies can score above a much larger one, making this a fair comparison between authorities of different sizes.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so Cherwell's score of 1,096 means its companies are meaningfully more active across these measures than the national picture. The likely range for its composite score is 1,069 to 1,123, which 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 Cherwell's composite score of 1,096 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,172
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+172 points against the UK · Likely range 1,126–1,218 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector classification. Cherwell ranks 7th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 1,172, which is 172 points above the UK benchmark and places it in the top 2% nationally. That result points to a strong concentration of companies active in patenting, R&D grant funding and recognised innovative sectors.
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
1,035
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+35 points against the UK · Likely range 1,010–1,060 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies qualify as scaleups, their headcount growth rate, and accelerator participation. Cherwell scores 1,035, ranking 47th of 360 authorities and sitting 35 points above the UK benchmark. It falls within the top 20% nationally, suggesting its companies are adding staff at a rate noticeably ahead of the UK average, though the gap is more modest here than on Innovation or Investment.
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
1,092
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+92 points against the UK · Likely range 1,049–1,135 · 30% of the composite
Investment captures equity raisers, the value of equity raised, and first-time raisers, all measured over the last five years. Cherwell ranks 19th of 360 authorities on this pillar, scoring 1,092, which is 92 points above the UK benchmark and places it in the top 10% nationally. That signals a notably active equity funding environment relative to most of the UK.
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
1,064
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+64 points against the UK · Likely range 1,038–1,090 · 10% of the composite
ESG covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. Cherwell's ESG score of 1,064 ranks 82nd of 361 authorities and sits 64 points above the UK benchmark. While this is Cherwell's lowest-ranking pillar, it still outperforms more than three-quarters of all authorities.
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 Oxfordshire
The chart below places Cherwell's composite score alongside its Oxfordshire neighbours, including the county leader Oxford at 1,400.
What is Cherwell's score in the UK Local Growth Index?
Cherwell scores 1,096, which is 96 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000. It ranks 12th of 361 local authorities nationally.
How does Cherwell compare to the rest of Oxfordshire?
Cherwell ranks 3rd of the 5 authorities in Oxfordshire, scoring 72 points below the county average of 1,168. Oxford leads the county with a score of 1,400.
Which pillar is Cherwell strongest on?
Innovation is Cherwell's strongest pillar. It scores 1,172, ranking 7th of 361 authorities and placing it in the top 2% nationally.
How does Cherwell perform on investment activity?
Cherwell ranks 19th of 360 authorities on Investment, scoring 1,092 and sitting 92 points above the UK benchmark. That places it in the top 10% of all authorities.
What does the likely range on each score mean?
The likely range shows how much a score could move with a slightly different mix of companies in the area. Cherwell's composite likely range is 1,069 to 1,123, and a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
How many companies does Cherwell's score cover?
The index covers 9,744 active companies in Cherwell, 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.
