Buckinghamshire scores 989 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 134th of 361 authorities and 11 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest result comes on Investment, where it ranks 101st nationally, and its relative weakness is on ESG, where it ranks 248th. Across all four pillars the scores sit close to, but mostly below, the UK benchmark.
Because each pillar score is averaged across those companies rather than summed, the index reflects how active local companies are on each measure, not the sheer size of the local economy. That makes it a fair comparison between authorities of very different scales.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Buckinghamshire's composite of 989 sits just below that national reference point. The likely range of 983 to 995 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is published only when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
South East
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 Buckinghamshire's composite score of 989 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,002
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+2 points against the UK · Likely range 993–1,011 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector membership. Buckinghamshire scores 1,002 on this pillar, 2 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 103rd of 361 authorities. That places it in the top third nationally, suggesting its companies are modestly more active on 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
993
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−7 points against the UK · Likely range 983–1,003 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their annualised headcount growth and whether they have attended an accelerator. Buckinghamshire ranks 199th of 360 on this pillar with a score of 993, sitting 7 points below the UK benchmark. That mid-table position indicates its companies are adding staff and reaching accelerator programmes at a rate broadly in line with, but slightly below, the national 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
971
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−29 points against the UK · Likely range 958–984 · 30% of the composite
Investment measures equity-raising activity over the last five years, the amounts raised and the share of companies doing so for the first time. At 971, Buckinghamshire's Investment score is 29 points below the UK benchmark, yet it still ranks 101st of 360 authorities. The combination of a below-benchmark score and a top-third rank reflects a UK-wide distribution in which equity activity is concentrated in a relatively small number 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
990
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−10 points against the UK · Likely range 982–998 · 10% of the composite
ESG covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. Buckinghamshire scores 990 here, 10 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 248th of 361, its lowest-ranked pillar. That places it in the bottom quarter nationally, indicating its companies show less activity on ESG measures than most authorities.
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 Buckinghamshire
The chart below compares Buckinghamshire's composite score of 989 with those of neighbouring authorities in the South East region.
What is Buckinghamshire's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Buckinghamshire scores 989 on the composite index, placing it 134th of 361 authorities and 11 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Buckinghamshire compare with the rest of the South East?
Buckinghamshire ranks 38th of 64 authorities in the South East and scores 14 points below the regional average of 1,003.
Which pillar is Buckinghamshire strongest on?
Investment is its highest-ranked pillar, where Buckinghamshire sits 101st of 360 authorities nationally, placing it in the top third despite a score 29 points below the UK benchmark.
How does Buckinghamshire perform on Innovation?
Buckinghamshire scores 1,002 on Innovation, 2 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 103rd of 361 authorities and putting it in the top third nationally.
How many companies are counted in Buckinghamshire's score?
The index covers 44,552 active companies in Buckinghamshire, with corporate groups counted once rather than as each of their registered entities.
How does Buckinghamshire rank within its county?
Buckinghamshire ranks 2nd of 2 authorities in Buckinghamshire county, scoring 3 points below the county average of 992, with Milton Keynes scoring 997.
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.
