Southend-on-Sea scores 933 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 344th of 361 local authorities and 67 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. All four pillars sit below the UK benchmark, with Innovation the weakest and ESG the closest to it. The authority ranks 12th of 14 authorities in Essex and 41st of 45 in the East of England.
Each score is an average across the authority's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a smaller authority with highly active companies can outscore a larger one, making the index a fair basis for comparing places of very different sizes.
A score of 1,000 represents the UK as a whole, so Southend-on-Sea's composite of 933 sits below that national level across all four pillars. The likely range of 924 to 942 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.
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 Southend-on-Sea's composite score of 933 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
923
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−77 points against the UK · Likely range 910–936 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sectors and IS-8 sectors. Southend-on-Sea ranks 339th of 361 authorities on this pillar, 77 points below the UK benchmark, and outperforms only 6.1% of authorities, making it the area's weakest pillar and a clear gap relative to national activity.
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
952
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−48 points against the UK · Likely range 935–969 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar measures scaleups, headcount growth and accelerator participation. At 952, Southend-on-Sea sits 48 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 331st of 360 authorities, though this is the narrowest gap to the national level of any pillar other than ESG.
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
916
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−84 points against the UK · Likely range 898–934 · 30% of the composite
Investment captures equity raisers, equity raised and first-time raisers over the last five years. Southend-on-Sea ranks 301st of 360 on this pillar and is 84 points below the UK benchmark; it outperforms 16.4% of authorities, making it the relative standout among the area's four pillars despite sitting well 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
961
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−39 points against the UK · Likely range 948–974 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. Southend-on-Sea scores 961 here, 39 points below the UK benchmark and ranking 310th of 361 authorities, the closest of its four pillars to the national level.
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 sets Southend-on-Sea's composite score of 933 against its neighbours in Essex, where the county average is 956.
What is Southend-on-Sea's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Southend-on-Sea scores 933, placing it 344th of 361 local authorities and 67 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Southend-on-Sea compare with the rest of Essex?
Southend-on-Sea scores 23 points below the Essex average of 956 and ranks 12th of 14 authorities in the county.
Which pillar is strongest for Southend-on-Sea?
Investment is the relatively strongest pillar, ranking 301st of 360 authorities and outperforming 16.4% of authorities, though it still sits 84 points below the UK benchmark.
Where does Southend-on-Sea rank in the East of England?
It ranks 41st of 45 authorities in the East of England, scoring 58 points below the regional average of 991.
What does the UK Local Growth Index actually measure?
It measures the characteristics of a place's business economy across four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. It is not a measure of economic output or GDP.
How many companies are included in Southend-on-Sea's score?
The score is based on 15,304 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.
