Swale scores 964 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 241st of 361 local authorities and 36 points below the UK benchmark. Its companies score close to the national average on Scaling and ESG, but Investment is the weakest area, sitting 76 points below the benchmark. The composite score falls 3 points below Kent and 39 points below the South East region.
Swale's composite score is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
The index measures the characteristics of active companies in each authority, with corporate groups counted once. Because scores are averaged across those companies rather than summed, a place with 7,189 active companies can be compared fairly with a much larger or smaller authority.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Swale's 964 indicates that its companies, on average, are somewhat less active across the measured characteristics than the UK norm. Each score also comes with a likely range showing how much it 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 Swale's composite score of 964 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
959
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−41 points against the UK · Likely range 940–978 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector classifications. Swale scores 959 on this pillar, 41 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 223rd of 361 authorities. Its companies outperform 38.2% of authorities on this measure, suggesting innovation activity is somewhat below the national norm.
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
995
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−5 points against the UK · Likely range 969–1,021 · 30% of the composite
Scaling reflects whether companies are 20% scaleups, their annualised headcount growth and whether they have attended an accelerator. At 995, Swale's Scaling score is only 5 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 190th of 360 authorities, making it the strongest of Swale's four pillars and broadly in line with national levels of high-growth activity.
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
924
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−76 points against the UK · Likely range 897–951 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers whether companies raised equity in the last five years, the amount raised and whether a deal was a company's first ever equity raise. Swale's score of 924 is 76 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 272nd of 360 authorities. This is the area where Swale's companies show the greatest gap relative to 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
1,005
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+5 points against the UK · Likely range 985–1,025 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Swale scores 1,005 on ESG, placing it 5 points above the UK benchmark and 198th of 361 authorities. This means Swale's companies are marginally ahead of the national average on these environmental and social characteristics.
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 shows how Swale's composite score compares with neighbouring authorities in Kent.
What is Swale's overall score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Swale scores 964, placing it 241st of 361 local authorities and 36 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Swale compare with the rest of Kent?
Swale's composite score of 964 is 3 points below the Kent average of 967, ranking it 8th of the 13 authorities in the county.
Which pillar is Swale strongest on?
Scaling is Swale's highest-scoring pillar at 995, only 5 points below the UK benchmark and ranking 190th of 360 authorities.
Where does Swale have most room to improve?
Investment is Swale's weakest pillar, scoring 924 and sitting 76 points below the UK benchmark. It ranks 272nd of 360 authorities on this measure.
How does Swale rank in the South East region?
Swale ranks 52nd of 64 authorities in the South East, with its composite score 39 points below the regional average of 1,003.
How many companies are counted in Swale's score?
The index counts 7,189 active companies in Swale, with corporate groups counted once rather than as 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.
