Cornwall ranks 53rd of 361 UK local authorities, with a composite score of 1,020, placing it 20 points above the UK benchmark. Its strongest result comes on ESG, where it ranks 16th nationally. Innovation, Scaling and Investment all sit modestly above the UK average.
Cornwall's composite score 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, a smaller authority with highly active businesses can rank above a much larger one, making this a fair comparison across places of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Cornwall's score of 1,020 means its companies are, on average, moderately more active across the measured characteristics than the national norm. Each score also comes with a likely range, which shows how much it could shift with a slightly different mix of companies. A score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
South West
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 Cornwall's composite score of 1,020 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,004
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+4 points against the UK · Likely range 990–1,018 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags. Cornwall scores 1,004 on this pillar, 4 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 98th of 361 authorities and placing it in the top third nationally. That suggests a modest but positive skew towards companies with innovation characteristics relative to the UK 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
1,004
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+4 points against the UK · Likely range 989–1,019 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies qualify as scaleups, their headcount growth over recent years, and accelerator participation. Cornwall's score of 1,004 places it 145th of 360 authorities, at the midpoint of the national distribution and 4 points above the UK benchmark. It is the weakest of Cornwall's four pillars in relative terms, though still fractionally ahead of the national norm.
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
1,016
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+16 points against the UK · Likely range 996–1,036 · 30% of the composite
Investment looks at whether companies have raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised, and whether a raise was their first ever. Cornwall ranks 44th of 360 authorities on this pillar, with a score of 1,016, placing it 16 points above the UK benchmark and in the top fifth nationally. That indicates Cornwall's companies are meaningfully more active in equity markets than the typical UK authority.
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
1,135
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+135 points against the UK · Likely range 1,120–1,150 · 10% of the composite
ESG covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. Cornwall's score of 1,135 is 135 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 16th of 361 authorities and placing it in the top 5% nationally. This is Cornwall's standout result, with its companies outperforming 95.6% of all authorities on these measures.
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 Cornwall
The chart below shows how Cornwall's composite score and pillar scores compare with neighbouring local authorities in the South West.
What is Cornwall's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Cornwall scores 1,020 on the composite index, 20 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000. It ranks 53rd of 361 local authorities.
How does Cornwall compare with other South West authorities?
Cornwall ranks 8th of 27 authorities in the South West, scoring 14 points above the regional average of 1,006.
Which pillar is Cornwall's strongest?
ESG is Cornwall's strongest pillar. It scores 1,135, ranking 16th of 361 authorities and placing Cornwall in the top 5% nationally on environmental, social and governance characteristics.
How many companies are counted in Cornwall's scores?
The scores are based on 24,393 active companies in Cornwall, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
What does the likely range on each score mean?
The likely range shows how much a score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies in the area. Cornwall's composite likely range is 1,009 to 1,031, and a score is only published when its range is narrow enough to be reliable.
How does Cornwall rank within its county?
Cornwall ranks 1st of 2 authorities in the county, level with the county average score of 1,020.
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.
