Doncaster scores 950 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 293rd of 361 local authorities and 50 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest pillar is Scaling, where it sits closest to the national average. Innovation is the area where its companies trail the UK most noticeably.
Each score is an average across all active companies in the authority, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a smaller authority with highly active companies can outscore a much larger one, making it a fair basis for comparing places of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Doncaster's 950 places it below the national benchmark across its 15,983 active companies. The likely range of 941 to 959 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.
Yorkshire and The Humber
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 Doncaster's composite score of 950 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
930
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−70 points against the UK · Likely range 917–943 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, innovative sector tagging and IS-8 sector presence. Doncaster ranks 325th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 930, which is 70 points below the UK benchmark and its weakest result across all four pillars. It outperforms only 10% of authorities, pointing to relatively limited activity in patents, R&D grants and innovative sector classification among its companies.
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
989
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−11 points against the UK · Likely range 972–1,006 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are 20% scaleups, their annualised headcount growth and accelerator attendance. At 989, Doncaster is just 11 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 212th of 360 authorities, outperforming 41.1% of the country. This is its strongest pillar, suggesting that on workforce growth and high-growth signals, its companies are broadly in line with national norms.
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
917
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−83 points against the UK · Likely range 899–935 · 30% of the composite
The Investment pillar covers equity raisers, the amount of equity raised and first-time raisers, all within the last five years. Doncaster scores 917 here, 83 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 290th of 360 authorities. Outperforming only 19.4% of authorities, this pillar indicates that equity financing activity among local companies is notably below the national level.
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
992
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−8 points against the UK · Likely range 978–1,006 · 10% of the composite
ESG reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Doncaster scores 992 on this pillar, just 8 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 241st of 361 authorities. It outperforms 33.2% of authorities, making this its second-strongest result and close to the national average.
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 South Yorkshire
The chart below shows how Doncaster's composite score of 950 sits alongside its South Yorkshire neighbours, where it ranks 3rd of 4 authorities and trails the county average by 31 points.
What is Doncaster's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Doncaster scores 950 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 293rd of 361 local authorities and 50 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Doncaster compare to the rest of South Yorkshire?
Doncaster ranks 3rd of 4 authorities in South Yorkshire and scores 31 points below the county average of 981. Sheffield, the county's top-ranked authority, scores 1,011.
Which pillar is Doncaster's strongest?
Scaling is Doncaster's strongest pillar, with a score of 989, just 11 points below the UK benchmark. It ranks 212th of 360 authorities on this measure.
Where does Doncaster rank on Innovation?
Innovation is Doncaster's weakest pillar. It ranks 325th of 361 authorities with a score of 930, which is 70 points below the UK benchmark.
How many companies are counted in Doncaster's score?
The index covers 15,983 active companies in Doncaster, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
What does the likely range mean for Doncaster's score?
The likely range of 941 to 959 shows how much the composite score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. Scores are only published when this range is narrow enough to rely on.
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.
