Canterbury scores 994 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 118th of 361 local authorities and 6 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Its strongest result is on Investment, where it ranks 63rd nationally and outperforms 82.5% of authorities. Scaling is the relative weak point, sitting 24 points below the UK benchmark.
Each score is an average across the authority's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a smaller authority with highly active companies can outscore a much larger one, making this a fair comparison between places of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Canterbury's 994 sits just below the national benchmark. Every score is published alongside a likely range showing how much it could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a score only appears 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 Canterbury's composite score of 994 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
998
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−2 points against the UK · Likely range 979–1,017 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, and activity in innovative and IS-8 sectors. Canterbury ranks 114th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 998, just 2 points below the UK benchmark, outperforming 68.4% of 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
976
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−24 points against the UK · Likely range 952–1,000 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their annualised headcount growth, and accelerator attendance. Canterbury ranks 267th of 360 on this pillar, scoring 976, which is 24 points below the UK benchmark and the authority's weakest result across all four pillars.
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
997
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−3 points against the UK · Likely range 964–1,030 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raised in the last five years, whether companies raised equity at all, and whether any of those deals were a company's first equity raise ever. Canterbury ranks 63rd of 360 on this pillar, placing it in the top 20% nationally and outperforming 82.5% of authorities, making Investment its clearest area of relative strength.
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
1,028
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+28 points against the UK · Likely range 1,008–1,048 · 10% of the composite
ESG looks at clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Canterbury scores 1,028 on this pillar, 28 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 131st of 361 authorities and outperforming 63.7% of them.
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 places Canterbury's composite score alongside its neighbours in Kent, where it ranks 2nd of 13 authorities, 27 points above the county score of 967.
What is Canterbury's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Canterbury scores 994, placing it 118th of 361 local authorities and 6 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Canterbury compare to the rest of Kent?
Canterbury ranks 2nd of 13 authorities in Kent and scores 27 points above the Kent average of 967.
Which pillar is Canterbury strongest on?
Investment is Canterbury's strongest pillar. It ranks 63rd of 360 authorities and outperforms 82.5% of local authorities on that measure.
Where does Canterbury rank on Scaling?
Canterbury ranks 267th of 360 on Scaling, scoring 976, which is 24 points below the UK benchmark and its lowest result across the four pillars.
How many companies does Canterbury's score cover?
The score is based on 8,763 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the likely range on Canterbury's score mean?
The likely range of 978 to 1,010 shows how much the composite score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies. Scores are only published when this range is narrow enough to rely on.
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.
