Stevenage scores 1,030 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 41st of 361 local authorities and 30 points above the UK benchmark. It ranks 1st in Hertfordshire and 4th in the East of England. Its strongest results come on Innovation and Investment, both of which sit comfortably inside the top 10% of all authorities.
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 outscore a larger one, making the index a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so any score above that benchmark means local companies are, on average, more active across those measures than their peers nationwide. Stevenage's composite score of 1,030 sits above that mark. The likely range for the score shows how much it could move with a slightly different mix of companies, and 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 Stevenage's composite score of 1,030 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,051
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+51 points against the UK · Likely range 1,013–1,089 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, and presence in innovative and IS-8 sectors. Stevenage ranks 36th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 51 points above the UK benchmark, placing it in the top 10% nationally. That result points to a local business base with notably stronger-than-average engagement in patenting, R&D funding and innovative sectors.
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
1,013
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+13 points against the UK · Likely range 983–1,043 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar measures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their headcount growth rate, and whether they have attended an accelerator. Stevenage ranks 102nd of 360 authorities, scoring 13 points above the UK benchmark. That puts it in the top third nationally, suggesting its companies are adding staff at a pace modestly ahead of the UK average.
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
1,042
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+42 points against the UK · Likely range 998–1,086 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raising activity, the total value of equity raised, and whether a company completed its first-ever equity deal in the last five years. At 30th of 360 authorities and 42 points above the UK benchmark, this is Stevenage's strongest pillar, with its companies outperforming 91.7% of all authorities on equity investment activity.
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
988
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−12 points against the UK · Likely range 967–1,009 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Stevenage scores 12 points below the UK benchmark here, ranking 254th of 361 authorities. While this is the lowest of its four pillar scores, ESG carries a 10% composite weight, limiting its drag on the overall result.
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 Hertfordshire
The chart below compares Stevenage's composite score against its neighbours in Hertfordshire, where it leads the county with a score 46 points above the county average.
What is Stevenage's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Stevenage scores 1,030, placing it 41st of 361 local authorities and 30 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Stevenage compare with the rest of Hertfordshire?
Stevenage ranks 1st of the 10 authorities in Hertfordshire, scoring 46 points above the county average of 984. The next-highest authority in the county is St Albans, with a score of 1,028.
Which pillar does Stevenage score highest on?
Investment is Stevenage's strongest pillar. It ranks 30th of 360 authorities, scoring 42 points above the UK benchmark, and outperforms 91.7% of all authorities on equity investment activity.
How does Stevenage perform on Innovation?
Stevenage ranks 36th of 361 authorities on Innovation, with a score 51 points above the UK benchmark. That places it in the top 10% nationally across measures including patents, R&D grant value and innovative sector presence.
What does the UK Local Growth Index actually measure?
It measures the characteristics of a local authority's business economy, based on the activity of its active companies, with corporate groups counted once. It is not a measure of economic output or GDP.
Why does Stevenage have a likely range shown alongside its score?
The likely range shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies. Scores are only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on; Stevenage's composite likely range is 1,006 to 1,054.
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.
