Gloucester sits 15 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000, ranking 143rd of 361 local authorities. Its companies perform above the UK average on scaling and ESG, while investment is the clearest drag on the overall score. The composite places Gloucester below both Gloucestershire as a county and the South West as a region.
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 very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000 on the fixed benchmark, so Gloucester's 985 sits modestly below the national level. The likely range of 969 to 1,001 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.
South West
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 Gloucester's composite score of 985 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
986
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−14 points against the UK · Likely range 964–1,008 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector classification. At 986, Gloucester is 14 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 138th of 361 authorities and placing in the top half nationally. Companies here are broadly in line with the UK average on the characteristics that drive this pillar.
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
1,029
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+29 points against the UK · Likely range 994–1,064 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies meet the scaleup threshold, headcount growth over three years and accelerator attendance. Gloucester's score of 1,029 puts it 29 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 54th of 360 authorities and in the top 20% nationally. On this pillar, Gloucester outperforms 85% of all authorities, pointing to stronger-than-average employment growth among its companies.
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
928
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−72 points against the UK · Likely range 898–958 · 30% of the composite
Investment measures equity raisers, total equity raised and first-time raisers over the last five years. A score of 928 leaves Gloucester 72 points below the UK benchmark and ranked 251st of 360 authorities. This is the weakest of the four pillars and the principal factor holding the composite below 1,000, indicating that equity fundraising among local companies is less common than elsewhere in 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
1,022
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+22 points against the UK · Likely range 999–1,045 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and the not-for-profit proxy. Gloucester scores 1,022 here, 22 points above the UK benchmark and ranked 146th of 361 authorities. That puts it just above the mid-point nationally, with companies showing a modest but positive tilt toward ESG-related characteristics.
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 Gloucestershire
The chart below places Gloucester's composite score alongside its neighbours within Gloucestershire, showing where it sits relative to authorities such as Stroud, which scores 1,039.
Gloucester's composite score is 985, which is 15 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. It ranks 143rd of 361 local authorities.
How does Gloucester compare to the rest of Gloucestershire?
Gloucester ranks 6th of the 7 authorities in Gloucestershire, scoring 32 points below the county average of 1,017.
Which pillar is Gloucester's strongest?
Scaling is Gloucester's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,029, placing it 54th of 360 authorities and in the top 20% nationally.
Where does Gloucester rank for business investment?
Investment is Gloucester's weakest pillar. It ranks 251st of 360 authorities, with a score of 928, which is 72 points below the UK benchmark.
How does Gloucester's score compare to the South West region?
The South West scores 1,006 on the composite, putting Gloucester 21 points below the regional average. It ranks 16th of the 27 authorities in the region.
How many companies are included in Gloucester's score?
The score covers 6,210 active companies, 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.
