Medway scores 947 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 311th of 361 local authorities and 53 points below the UK benchmark. Its Scaling score matches the UK average exactly, but weaker readings on Innovation and Investment pull the composite down. All four pillar scores are published, each within a range narrow enough to rely on.
Because each score is averaged across a place's companies rather than summed, the index reflects how active local companies are, not how large the local economy is. That makes it a fair basis for comparing authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Medway's 947 places it below the national benchmark. The likely range of 939 to 955 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; because that range is narrow, the score is published with confidence.
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 Medway's composite score of 947 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
927
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−73 points against the UK · Likely range 915–939 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags. Medway ranks 332nd of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 927, which is 73 points below the UK benchmark. That places it ahead of only 8% of authorities, pointing to relatively limited activity across the innovation measures among its companies.
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
1,000
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
±0 points against the UK · Likely range 983–1,017 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies qualify as scaleups, their headcount growth over recent years, and accelerator attendance. Medway's Scaling score of 1,000 is exactly level with the UK benchmark, ranking 162nd of 360 authorities. This is its strongest pillar, suggesting its companies are adding staff at a rate broadly in line with peers across the country.
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
912
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−88 points against the UK · Likely range 895–929 · 30% of the composite
Investment looks at whether companies raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised, and whether they were first-time equity raisers. At 912, Medway sits 88 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 316th of 360 authorities. Equity activity among its companies is below the national average, and relatively few appear to have entered the equity market for the first time recently.
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
950
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−50 points against the UK · Likely range 938–962 · 10% of the composite
ESG covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. Medway scores 950 on this pillar, 50 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 329th of 361 authorities. Its companies show below-average engagement across the ESG measures compared with most other local 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 Kent
The chart below compares Medway's composite score with those of neighbouring authorities across Kent.
Medway scores 947 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 311th of 361 local authorities and 53 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Medway compare to the rest of Kent?
Medway ranks 12th of 13 authorities in Kent and scores 20 points below the county average of 967.
How does Medway compare to the South East region?
Medway ranks 61st of 64 authorities in the South East and scores 56 points below the regional average of 1,003.
Which pillar is Medway strongest on?
Scaling is Medway's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,000, exactly level with the UK benchmark. It ranks 162nd of 360 authorities on this measure.
Which pillar is Medway weakest on?
Innovation is Medway's lowest-scoring pillar at 927, placing it 332nd of 361 authorities and 73 points below the UK benchmark.
How many companies does the Medway score cover?
The index covers 16,605 active companies in Medway, with corporate groups counted once rather than as each of their 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.
