North Norfolk sits 22 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 170th of 361 local authorities. Its companies score closest to the UK average on Scaling, while ESG is a clear strength, placing the district in the top 10% nationally. Investment is the most notable gap, sitting 66 points below the UK.
The index measures the characteristics of active companies in each authority, with corporate groups counted once. Because the score is an average across those companies rather than a total, it reflects how active local businesses are, not how large the local economy is, making it a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
A score of 1,000 represents the UK as a whole, so North Norfolk's composite of 978 places it just below that baseline. The likely range of 956 to 1,000 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 North Norfolk's composite score of 978 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
960
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−40 points against the UK · Likely range 929–991 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector membership. North Norfolk ranks 219th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 40 points below the UK benchmark, suggesting its companies are less active on these innovation measures than the national 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
997
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−3 points against the UK · Likely range 960–1,034 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their three-year headcount growth rates, and accelerator participation. At 997, North Norfolk is only 3 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 180th of 360 authorities, placing it squarely in the middle of the national distribution on this dimension.
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
934
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−66 points against the UK · Likely range 896–972 · 30% of the composite
Investment reflects equity-raising activity, the amount of equity raised and the presence of first-time raisers over the last five years. A score of 934 puts North Norfolk 66 points below the UK and represents the district's widest gap against the benchmark, ranking 216th of 360 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
1,103
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+103 points against the UK · Likely range 1,068–1,138 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. North Norfolk ranks 34th of 361 authorities on ESG, scoring 103 points above the UK benchmark, and outperforms 90.6% of all authorities on this pillar.
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 Norfolk
The chart below compares North Norfolk's composite score with its neighbours across Norfolk and the East of England.
North Norfolk has a composite score of 978, placing it 22 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000 and 170th of 361 local authorities.
How does North Norfolk compare to the rest of Norfolk?
North Norfolk scores 18 points below the county average of 996 and ranks 4th of the 7 authorities in Norfolk.
How does North Norfolk compare to the East of England region?
North Norfolk's composite of 978 is 13 points below the East of England average of 991, and the district ranks 18th of 45 authorities in the region.
Which pillar is North Norfolk strongest on?
ESG is North Norfolk's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,103, which is 103 points above the UK benchmark and places the district 34th of 361 authorities nationally.
Which pillar is North Norfolk weakest on?
Investment is the weakest pillar, scoring 934, which is 66 points below the UK benchmark. This covers equity raised and equity-raising activity among local companies over the last five years.
How many companies are included in North Norfolk's score?
The score covers 3,849 active companies in North Norfolk, with corporate groups counted once rather than as each of their individual 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.
