Chesterfield scores 981 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 158th of 361 local authorities and 19 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest result is on Scaling, where it ranks 37th nationally, well clear of the UK average. Investment is the area where it trails most, sitting 306th of 360 authorities.
The index measures the characteristics of the companies based in each authority, with each score averaged across those active companies, counting corporate groups once. That approach means a smaller authority with active, high-growth businesses can score just as well as a larger one, making the comparison between authorities of different sizes fair.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Chesterfield's 981 sits just below that benchmark. Each score also comes with a likely range, which shows how much the result 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 Chesterfield's composite score of 981 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
982
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−18 points against the UK · Likely range 957–1,007 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures R&D grants received, granted patent families filed in the last 20 years, whether companies are university spinouts, and whether they operate in innovative or IS-8 sectors. Chesterfield scores 982 on this pillar, 18 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 151st of 361 authorities and outperforming 58.2% of them.
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
1,041
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+41 points against the UK · Likely range 1,003–1,079 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures headcount growth, whether companies qualify as 20% scaleups, and accelerator attendance. Chesterfield ranks 37th of 360 authorities here, scoring 1,041, which is 41 points above the UK benchmark. That places it in the top 20% nationally and ahead of 89.7% of all authorities, making Scaling its clearest area of strength.
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
914
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−86 points against the UK · Likely range 883–945 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raised in the last five years, whether companies raised equity at all, and whether any of those deals were a company's first ever. At 914, Chesterfield's Investment score is 86 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 306th of 360 authorities and outperforming only 15.0% of them. This is the widest gap to the national average across its four pillars.
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
1,000
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
±0 points against the UK · Likely range 974–1,026 · 10% of the composite
ESG looks at clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit status. Chesterfield scores 1,000 on this pillar, level with the UK benchmark, ranking 215th of 361 authorities and outperforming 40.4% of them.
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 places Chesterfield's composite score alongside its neighbours in Derbyshire, where it ranks 3rd of 9 authorities, scoring 13 points above the county average of 968.
What is Chesterfield's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Chesterfield scores 981, placing it 158th of 361 local authorities and 19 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Chesterfield compare to other authorities in Derbyshire?
Chesterfield ranks 3rd of 9 authorities in Derbyshire, scoring 13 points above the county average of 968.
Which pillar is Chesterfield strongest on?
Scaling is Chesterfield's strongest pillar. It scores 1,041, ranking 37th of 360 authorities and 41 points above the UK benchmark.
Where does Chesterfield rank for business investment?
Chesterfield ranks 306th of 360 authorities on Investment, scoring 914, which is 86 points below the UK benchmark. Only 15.0% of authorities score lower.
How many active companies does the Chesterfield score cover?
The score is based on 4,783 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
How does Chesterfield compare to the East Midlands region?
Chesterfield scores 9 points above the East Midlands regional average of 972, ranking 12th of 35 authorities in the region.
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.
