Stroud ranks 34th of 361 local authorities in the UK Local Growth Index, with a composite score of 1,039, placing it 39 points above the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on ESG, where it ranks 10th nationally. Investment is the one area where it sits below the UK average.
Stroud's composite score of 1,039 is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively, and covering 6,236 active companies with corporate groups counted once.
Each score is an average across a local authority's companies rather than a sum, which means a smaller authority and a larger one can be compared fairly: what the index captures is how active local companies are, not how large the local economy is.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000 on every measure, so Stroud's composite of 1,039 places it clearly above the national baseline. Every score also carries a likely range showing how much it could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on, and Stroud's composite range of 1,017 to 1,061 meets that bar.
South West
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 Stroud's composite score of 1,039 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,054
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+54 points against the UK · Likely range 1,020–1,088 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags. Stroud ranks 33rd of 361 authorities on this pillar, 54 points above the UK benchmark, placing it in the top 10% nationally and outperforming 90.9% of all authorities.
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
1,049
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+49 points against the UK · Likely range 1,016–1,082 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are scaleups, their headcount growth and whether they have attended an accelerator. Stroud ranks 30th of 360 authorities here, 49 points above the UK benchmark, again within the top 10% nationally, suggesting its companies are adding staff and reaching high-growth thresholds at a notably stronger rate than 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
976
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−24 points against the UK · Likely range 941–1,011 · 30% of the composite
Investment reflects whether companies have raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised, and whether they were first-time raisers. At 976, Stroud's Investment score sits 24 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 89th of 360. It still outperforms 75.3% of authorities, but this is the one area where Stroud trails the national average.
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
1,158
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+158 points against the UK · Likely range 1,124–1,192 · 10% of the composite
ESG covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. Stroud ranks 10th of 361 authorities on this pillar, 158 points above the UK benchmark and in the top 5% nationally, outperforming 97.2% of all authorities. This is Stroud's standout result across all four pillars.
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 Gloucestershire
The chart below places Stroud's composite score alongside its Gloucestershire neighbours, where it ranks 1st of 7 authorities with a score 22 points above the county average.
What is Stroud's overall score in the UK Local Growth Index?
Stroud's composite score is 1,039, placing it 39 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000 and 34th of 361 local authorities.
How does Stroud compare to the rest of Gloucestershire?
Stroud ranks 1st of 7 authorities in Gloucestershire, with a composite score 22 points above the county average of 1,017.
What is Stroud's strongest pillar in the index?
ESG is Stroud's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,158, placing it 10th of 361 authorities and 158 points above the UK benchmark.
Where does Stroud rank on Innovation?
Stroud ranks 33rd of 361 authorities on Innovation, 54 points above the UK benchmark and in the top 10% nationally.
Is Stroud's Investment score above or below the UK average?
Stroud's Investment score of 976 is 24 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000, though it still ranks 89th of 360 authorities and outperforms 75.3% of them.
How many companies does Stroud's score cover?
The index covers 6,236 active companies in Stroud, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate 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.
