Ashfield scores 969 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 219th of 361 authorities and 31 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest result comes on Scaling, where it edges just above the national average. Investment is the area where it trails the benchmark most noticeably.
Each pillar score is an average across those companies, so the index reflects how active local businesses are rather than the size of the local economy. That makes it a fair comparison between authorities of very different scales.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Ashfield's composite of 969 sits 31 points below that national reference point. The likely range of 950 to 988 shows how much the score could move with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
East Midlands
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 Ashfield's composite score of 969 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
959
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−41 points against the UK · Likely range 932–986 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags. Ashfield ranks 221st of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 959, which is 41 points below the UK benchmark, suggesting its companies are less active on these innovation signals 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
1,008
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+8 points against the UK · Likely range 969–1,047 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are scaleups, their headcount growth rate and accelerator attendance. At 1,008, Ashfield sits 8 points above the UK benchmark and ranks 128th of 360 authorities, outperforming 64.4% of areas, making this its strongest pillar by some distance.
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
930
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−70 points against the UK · Likely range 893–967 · 30% of the composite
Investment measures equity raisers, the amount of equity raised and first-time raisers, all within the last five years. Ashfield scores 930 here, 70 points below the UK benchmark and ranking 237th of 360 authorities, indicating its companies are raising equity less frequently and in smaller amounts than the national norm.
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
999
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−1 points against the UK · Likely range 971–1,027 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Ashfield's score of 999 is just 1 point below the UK benchmark, ranking 220th of 361 authorities and placing it very close to the national average on this dimension.
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 Nottinghamshire
The chart below compares Ashfield's composite score of 969 with its neighbours across Nottinghamshire, where it ranks 6th of 8 authorities, sitting 18 points below the county average of 987.
What is Ashfield's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Ashfield scores 969, placing it 219th of 361 UK local authorities and 31 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Ashfield compare to the rest of Nottinghamshire?
Ashfield ranks 6th of 8 authorities in Nottinghamshire, scoring 18 points below the county average of 987.
What is Ashfield's strongest pillar on the index?
Scaling is Ashfield's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,008, which is 8 points above the UK benchmark and places it 128th of 360 authorities nationally.
Where does Ashfield rank for business investment?
Ashfield ranks 237th of 360 authorities on Investment, scoring 930, which is 70 points below the UK benchmark. This reflects lower levels of equity raising among its companies compared with the national average.
How many companies are counted in Ashfield's index score?
The score covers 4,103 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as each of their registered entities.
What does the UK Local Growth Index actually measure?
The index measures the characteristics of a local authority's business economy across four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. It is not a measure of economic output or GDP.
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.
