Epping Forest scores 947 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 310th of 361 local authorities and 53 points below the UK benchmark. All four pillars sit below 1,000, with Investment the strongest and Innovation the weakest. Within Essex, it ranks 11th of 14 authorities, 9 points below the county score of 956.
Each score is calculated as an average across the district's 14,248 active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a smaller authority with highly active companies can outscore a larger one, making this a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Epping Forest's composite of 947 places it below the national benchmark. The likely range of 937 to 957 shows how much the score could move 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 Epping Forest's composite score of 947 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
927
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−73 points against the UK · Likely range 914–940 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tagging and IS-8 sector membership. On this pillar, Epping Forest ranks 331st of 361 authorities, scoring 927, which is 73 points below the UK benchmark. It outperforms only 8.3% of authorities, making it the district's weakest area relative to the rest of the UK.
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
979
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−21 points against the UK · Likely range 960–998 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies qualify as scaleups, their headcount growth over the latest four years of accounts, and accelerator participation. Epping Forest ranks 258th of 360 authorities here, scoring 979, which is 21 points below the UK benchmark. That is the closest any pillar comes to the national average, and the district outperforms 28.3% of authorities on this measure.
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
932
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−68 points against the UK · Likely range 912–952 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the value of equity raised and first-time raisers, all over the last five years. At 932 and ranked 226th of 360 authorities, this is Epping Forest's strongest pillar, outperforming 37.2% of authorities, though it remains 68 points below the UK benchmark.
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
954
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−46 points against the UK · Likely range 940–968 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Epping Forest scores 954, ranking 325th of 361 authorities and sitting 46 points below the UK benchmark, with the district outperforming just 10.0% of authorities on this measure.
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 places Epping Forest's composite score alongside its neighbouring authorities in Essex, including the county runner-up Uttlesford, which scores 1,013.
What is Epping Forest's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Epping Forest scores 947, placing it 310th of 361 local authorities and 53 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Epping Forest compare to the rest of Essex?
It ranks 11th of 14 authorities in Essex and sits 9 points below the county score of 956.
Which pillar is Epping Forest's strongest?
Investment is the strongest pillar, where Epping Forest ranks 226th of 360 authorities and outperforms 37.2% of local authorities, though its score of 932 remains below the UK benchmark.
Which pillar is Epping Forest's weakest?
Innovation is the weakest pillar, with Epping Forest ranking 331st of 361 authorities and outperforming only 8.3% of local authorities, scoring 927 against the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How many companies are counted in Epping Forest's score?
The score covers 14,248 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as each of their registered entities.
What does the likely range mean for Epping Forest's score?
The likely range of 937 to 957 shows how much the composite score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. Scores are only published when that 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.
