Colchester scores 972 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 200th of 361 local authorities and 28 points below the UK benchmark. It ranks 4th of 14 authorities in Essex and sits 16 points above the county score of 956. Investment is the weakest pillar, while ESG edges fractionally above the UK benchmark.
Each score is averaged across the area's active companies, with corporate groups counted once, which means a smaller authority with highly active companies can outscore a larger one. That makes the index a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Colchester's 972 sits a little below that national reference point. The likely range of 960 to 984 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.
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 Colchester's composite score of 972 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
972
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−28 points against the UK · Likely range 956–988 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector presence. Colchester ranks 179th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 972, which is 28 points below the UK benchmark, though it outperforms just over 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
996
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−4 points against the UK · Likely range 975–1,017 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their headcount growth rate and whether they have attended an accelerator. At 996, Colchester is only 4 points below the UK benchmark here, ranking 181st of 360 authorities, suggesting local companies are adding staff at a rate close to 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
936
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−64 points against the UK · Likely range 914–958 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the value of equity raised and first-time raisers over the last five years. This is Colchester's weakest pillar: a score of 936 places it 211th of 360 authorities and 64 points below the UK benchmark, indicating that local companies are raising equity less actively than the UK norm.
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
1,009
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+9 points against the UK · Likely range 992–1,026 · 10% of the composite
ESG reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. Colchester scores 1,009 on this pillar, 9 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 189th of 361 authorities and making it the one area where the authority edges ahead of the national reference point.
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 compares Colchester's composite score against its neighbouring authorities in Essex.
Colchester scores 972 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 200th of 361 local authorities and 28 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Colchester compare to the rest of Essex?
Colchester ranks 4th of 14 authorities in Essex and scores 16 points above the Essex county score of 956.
How does Colchester rank in the East of England?
Colchester ranks 24th of 45 authorities in the East of England region, scoring 19 points below the regional score of 991.
Which pillar is Colchester strongest on?
Innovation is Colchester's highest-scoring pillar, though at 972 it still sits 28 points below the UK benchmark. The ESG pillar is the only one where Colchester exceeds the UK benchmark, scoring 1,009.
Where does Colchester perform least well?
Investment is Colchester's weakest pillar, scoring 936 and ranking 211th of 360 authorities, 64 points below the UK benchmark. This reflects lower equity-raising activity among local companies relative to the national average.
How many companies are counted in Colchester's score?
The index covers 11,410 active companies in Colchester, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate 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.
