Chichester ranks 104th of 361 local authorities in the UK Local Growth Index, with a composite score of 998, sitting just 2 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result comes on Investment, where it ranks 58th nationally, outperforming 83.9% of authorities. ESG is also a relative strength, sitting 40 points above the UK benchmark.
Chichester's composite score of 998 is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 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 totalled, they reflect how active local companies are, not how large the local economy is. That makes it a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
A score of 1,000 represents the UK as a whole, so Chichester's 998 puts it almost exactly at the national average. The likely range of 983 to 1,013 shows how much the score could move with a slightly different mix of companies; the score is only published 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 Chichester's composite score of 998 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
984
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−16 points against the UK · Likely range 966–1,002 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags. Chichester ranks 144th of 361 authorities on this pillar, sitting 16 points below the UK benchmark and outperforming 60.1% of authorities, a position broadly in line with 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
994
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−6 points against the UK · Likely range 970–1,018 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are scaleups, their headcount growth, and whether they have attended an accelerator. At 193rd of 360 authorities, Chichester's Scaling score of 994 is 6 points below the UK benchmark and is the weakest of its four pillars, outperforming 46.4% of authorities.
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
1,002
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+2 points against the UK · Likely range 970–1,034 · 30% of the composite
Investment measures equity raisers, the value of equity raised, and first-time raisers, all within the last five years. Chichester ranks 58th of 360 authorities here, placing it in the top 20% nationally and 2 points above the UK benchmark, making this its strongest pillar by rank.
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
1,040
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+40 points against the UK · Likely range 1,020–1,060 · 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. Chichester scores 1,040 on ESG, 40 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 112th of 361 authorities and outperforming 69.0% of all local authorities.
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 West Sussex
The chart below shows how Chichester's composite score of 998 compares with its West Sussex neighbours, where it ranks 2nd of 7 authorities in the county, 3 points above the county average of 995.
What is Chichester's score in the UK Local Growth Index?
Chichester has a composite score of 998, placing it 104th of 361 local authorities and 2 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Chichester compare with the rest of West Sussex?
Chichester ranks 2nd of 7 authorities in West Sussex, with a composite score 3 points above the county average of 995.
How does Chichester perform on Investment?
Chichester ranks 58th of 360 authorities on Investment, placing it in the top 20% nationally and 2 points above the UK benchmark. It outperforms 83.9% of all authorities on this pillar.
What does the likely range mean for Chichester's score?
The likely range of 983 to 1,013 shows how much the composite score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. Chichester's score is published because that range is narrow enough to rely on.
How many companies does Chichester's score cover?
The score is based on 8,607 active companies in Chichester, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
Where is Chichester's weakest area in the index?
Scaling is Chichester's lowest-ranked pillar, at 193rd of 360 authorities and 6 points below the UK benchmark. It covers headcount growth, scaleup status and accelerator participation.
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.
