South Derbyshire scores 969 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 217th of 361 local authorities and 31 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest result is on Scaling, where it sits just above the UK average, while Investment is the area where it trails most noticeably. The composite score sits within a likely range of 952 to 986.
The composite score is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
Each pillar score is an average across the district's 4,413 active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means the index reflects how active local companies are rather than how large the local economy is, which allows meaningful comparisons between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so South Derbyshire's composite score of 969 sits just below the national average. Every score also comes with a likely range showing how much it could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
East Midlands
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 South Derbyshire's composite score of 969 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
969
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−31 points against the UK · Likely range 943–995 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector membership. South Derbyshire ranks 195th of 361 authorities on this pillar, with a score of 969, placing it 31 points below the UK benchmark and ahead of 46% of authorities nationally.
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
1,009
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+9 points against the UK · Likely range 975–1,043 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are 20% scaleups, their headcount growth over the latest four years of accounts, and accelerator attendance. At 1,009, South Derbyshire's Scaling score is 9 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 114th of 360 authorities and outperforming 68.3% of them. This is the district's strongest pillar result.
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
918
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−82 points against the UK · Likely range 885–951 · 30% of the composite
Investment reflects whether companies raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised, and whether a raise was a company's first ever. South Derbyshire ranks 289th of 360 authorities here, with a score of 918, which is 82 points below the UK benchmark. This is the area where the district lags most relative to the national picture, outperforming only 19.7% of authorities.
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
1,006
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+6 points against the UK · Likely range 979–1,033 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. South Derbyshire scores 1,006, placing it 6 points above the UK benchmark and 197th of 361 authorities, broadly in line with 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 Derbyshire
The chart below compares South Derbyshire's composite score with those of its neighbours in Derbyshire.
What is South Derbyshire's UK Local Growth Index score?
South Derbyshire scores 969 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 217th of 361 local authorities and 31 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does South Derbyshire compare to other authorities in Derbyshire?
South Derbyshire ranks 5th of 9 authorities in Derbyshire, with a score of 969, which is 1 point above the county average of 968.
Which pillar is South Derbyshire's strongest?
Scaling is South Derbyshire's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,009, placing it 114th of 360 authorities and 9 points above the UK benchmark.
Where does South Derbyshire rank on Investment?
South Derbyshire ranks 289th of 360 authorities on Investment, with a score of 918, which is 82 points below the UK benchmark. It outperforms only 19.7% of authorities on this pillar.
How does South Derbyshire compare to the East Midlands region?
South Derbyshire scores 969 on the composite, placing it 22nd of 35 authorities in the East Midlands and 3 points below the regional average of 972.
How many companies are included in South Derbyshire's index scores?
The scores are based on 4,413 active companies in South Derbyshire, with corporate groups counted once rather than as each of their 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.
