Braintree scores 972 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 199th of 361 local authorities and 28 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. It ranks 3rd of 14 authorities in Essex, sitting 16 points above the county score of 956. Scaling is its strongest pillar, where it edges above the UK average.
Each score is an average across the district's 8,988 active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a place with fewer but highly active companies can score as well as a larger economy, making this a fair comparison between authorities of different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000 by design, so Braintree's 972 sits just below that national reference point. Every score also carries a likely range, which shows how much the result could move with a slightly different mix of companies; Braintree's composite range of 959 to 985 is narrow enough to rely on, as are all four of its pillar scores.
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 Braintree's composite score of 972 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
965
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−35 points against the UK · Likely range 948–982 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector membership. Braintree scores 965 on this pillar, 35 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 205th of 361 authorities and outperforming 43.2% of them. Companies in the district show below-average engagement with the innovation signals the index tracks.
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
1,009
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+9 points against the UK · Likely range 983–1,035 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies qualify as scaleups, their headcount growth over a rolling four-year period, and accelerator attendance. At 1,009, Braintree's Scaling score sits 9 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 125th of 360 authorities and outperforming 65.3% of them. This is the district's strongest result and indicates companies here are adding staff at a pace broadly in line with, and marginally ahead of, the national 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
938
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−62 points against the UK · Likely range 912–964 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers whether companies raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised, and whether a deal was a company's first equity raise ever. Braintree's Investment score of 938 is 62 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 202nd of 360 authorities. That gap suggests equity activity among local companies is noticeably below typical UK levels.
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
989
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−11 points against the UK · Likely range 971–1,007 · 10% of the composite
ESG reflects company-level signals across clean energy, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance indicators, and a not-for-profit proxy. Braintree ranks 251st of 361 on this pillar with a score of 989, 11 points below the UK benchmark, outperforming 30.5% of authorities. While this is the district's lowest-ranked pillar, the score itself sits close to the national reference point.
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 Essex
The chart below places Braintree's composite score alongside its neighbours in Essex, showing where it sits within the county.
What is Braintree's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Braintree scores 972, placing it 199th of 361 local authorities and 28 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Braintree compare to other councils in Essex?
Braintree ranks 3rd of 14 authorities in Essex, scoring 16 points above the county average of 956. The next highest in Essex is Uttlesford, which scores 1,013.
Which pillar is Braintree's strongest?
Scaling is Braintree's top-performing pillar, with a score of 1,009, placing it 125th of 360 authorities and 9 points above the UK benchmark.
How does Braintree perform on Investment?
Braintree's Investment score is 938, which is 62 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 202nd of 360 authorities. This is the largest gap to the UK average across Braintree's four pillars.
How many companies are counted in Braintree's score?
The index covers 8,988 active companies in Braintree, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does a score of 1,000 mean on the UK Local Growth Index?
The UK as a whole is set to 1,000 as a fixed benchmark, so any authority above 1,000 is performing above the national average and any below it is performing under. Braintree's 972 puts it just below that benchmark.
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.
