South Hams ranks 77th of 361 UK local authorities, with a composite score of 1,009, placing it 9 points above the UK benchmark. Its standout result is on ESG, where it ranks 8th nationally. Investment also sits above the UK average, while Innovation and Scaling trail it.
The composite score for South Hams is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
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 rank above a much larger one. That makes this a fair comparison between authorities of different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so South Hams, at 1,009, sits just above that benchmark. The likely range for the composite score is 989 to 1,029, showing 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 South Hams's composite score of 1,009 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
988
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−12 points against the UK · Likely range 964–1,012 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tagging and IS-8 sector presence. South Hams ranks 130th of 361 authorities on this pillar, with a score 12 points below the UK benchmark, placing it in the top half of authorities nationally but indicating that local companies are less active on these innovation measures than the UK average.
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
978
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−22 points against the UK · Likely range 947–1,009 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are scaleups, their headcount growth over a three-year period, and accelerator attendance. At 262nd of 360 authorities and 22 points below the UK benchmark, this is South Hams' weakest pillar, suggesting that employee growth and high-growth signals among local companies are below average relative to the rest of the UK.
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
1,010
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+10 points against the UK · Likely range 969–1,051 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the value of equity raised and first-time raisers, all within the last five years. South Hams ranks 50th of 360 on this pillar, 10 points above the UK benchmark, outperforming 86.1% of authorities. Local companies are raising equity at a rate that compares well with most of 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
1,167
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+167 points against the UK · Likely range 1,135–1,199 · 10% of the composite
ESG reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. South Hams ranks 8th of 361 authorities here, scoring 167 points above the UK benchmark and outperforming 97.8% of all authorities. This is a notably strong result and the clearest differentiator for the district.
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 Devon
The chart below sets South Hams' composite score of 1,009 against its Devon neighbours and the UK benchmark of 1,000.
South Hams has a composite score of 1,009, placing it 9 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000 and 77th of 361 UK local authorities.
How does South Hams compare with the rest of Devon?
South Hams ranks 2nd of 10 authorities in Devon, with a composite score 16 points above the Devon average of 993.
Which pillar is strongest for South Hams?
ESG is the strongest pillar, with a score of 1,167, placing South Hams 8th of 361 authorities and 167 points above the UK benchmark.
Where does South Hams rank on investment activity?
South Hams ranks 50th of 360 authorities on Investment, with a score 10 points above the UK benchmark. It outperforms 86.1% of all UK local authorities on this pillar.
Why does South Hams score below average on Scaling?
Scaling measures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator attendance. At 262nd of 360 authorities, South Hams sits 22 points below the UK benchmark, indicating that local companies are less active on these growth signals than the national average.
How many companies are counted in the South Hams score?
The index covers 5,429 active companies in South Hams, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual 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.
