West Oxfordshire ranks 33rd of 361 local authorities in the UK Local Growth Index, scoring 1,039 against the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest performance is in Innovation, where it places 22nd nationally. The composite score sits 39 points above the UK benchmark and 36 points above the South East regional average, though it falls 129 points below the Oxfordshire county average.
The composite score for West Oxfordshire is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
Each score is an average across all active companies in the authority, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a smaller authority with highly active companies can score just as well as a much larger one, making comparisons between authorities of different sizes fair.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so a score of 1,039 means West Oxfordshire's companies are, on average, more active across the index's measures than the UK as a whole. The likely range of 1,018 to 1,060 shows how much the score might shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to be reliable.
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 West Oxfordshire's composite score of 1,039 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,076
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+76 points against the UK · Likely range 1,045–1,107 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tagging and IS-8 sector presence. West Oxfordshire ranks 22nd of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 1,076, which is 76 points above the UK benchmark and places it in the top 10% nationally. That result indicates its companies are notably active across the innovation measures relative to the rest of the UK.
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
1,005
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+5 points against the UK · Likely range 979–1,031 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their headcount growth over recent years and whether they have attended an accelerator. At 139th of 360 authorities, this is West Oxfordshire's lowest-ranking pillar, though its score of 1,005 still sits 5 points above the UK benchmark. The result suggests companies here are growing their workforces at a rate broadly in line with the national picture.
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
1,023
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+23 points against the UK · Likely range 986–1,060 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the amount of equity raised and first-time raisers, all within the last five years. West Oxfordshire ranks 42nd of 360 on this pillar, scoring 1,023, placing it in the top 20% of authorities. Companies in the area are raising equity noticeably more actively than the UK 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
1,083
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+83 points against the UK · Likely range 1,058–1,108 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. West Oxfordshire scores 1,083 here, ranking 56th of 361 authorities and sitting in the top 20% nationally, 83 points above the UK benchmark. That indicates its companies carry a relatively strong set of environmental and social characteristics compared with the national picture.
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 Oxfordshire
The chart below shows how West Oxfordshire's composite score compares with neighbouring authorities across Oxfordshire and the South East.
What is West Oxfordshire's overall score in the UK Local Growth Index?
West Oxfordshire scores 1,039, placing it 33rd of 361 local authorities. The UK benchmark is 1,000, so its score is 39 points above the national average.
How does West Oxfordshire compare with the rest of Oxfordshire?
West Oxfordshire ranks 5th of the 5 authorities in Oxfordshire, scoring 129 points below the county average of 1,168. Oxford, the county's highest scorer, records 1,400.
Which pillar is West Oxfordshire strongest on?
Innovation is its strongest pillar, where it ranks 22nd of 361 authorities, in the top 10% nationally, scoring 76 points above the UK benchmark.
How does West Oxfordshire perform on investment activity?
On Investment, West Oxfordshire ranks 42nd of 360 authorities, in the top 20% nationally. Its score of 1,023 is 23 points above the UK benchmark, reflecting above-average equity-raising activity among its companies.
What does the likely range mean for West Oxfordshire's score?
The likely range of 1,018 to 1,060 shows how much the composite score might shift with a slightly different mix of companies. Scores are only published when that range is narrow enough to be reliable.
How many companies are counted in West Oxfordshire's score?
The index covers 7,498 active companies in West Oxfordshire, 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.
