Dacorum scores 994 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 115th of 361 local authorities and 6 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. Innovation is its strongest pillar, sitting 14 points above the UK benchmark, while ESG is the weakest, ranking 279th nationally. Overall, Dacorum sits 10 points above Hertfordshire and 3 points above the East of England.
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 summed, a smaller authority with highly active businesses can rank alongside a much larger one, making this a fair comparison across authorities of very different sizes.
A score of 1,000 represents the UK as a whole, so Dacorum's 994 places it marginally below the national average. Each score also comes with a likely range showing 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, and Dacorum's range of 982 to 1,006 meets that threshold.
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 Dacorum's composite score of 994 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,014
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+14 points against the UK · Likely range 997–1,031 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags. Dacorum scores 1,014 here, 14 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 79th of 361 authorities and placing it in the top 25% nationally. Its companies outperform 78.1% of all local authorities on this pillar, pointing to a meaningful concentration of innovative activity relative to peers.
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
999
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−1 points against the UK · Likely range 979–1,019 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar captures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator participation. Dacorum's score of 999 is effectively level with the UK benchmark, sitting just 1 point below it, and ranks 171st of 360 authorities. It outperforms 52.5% of authorities, suggesting its companies are broadly in line with national norms for workforce growth and high-growth signals.
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
975
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−25 points against the UK · Likely range 950–1,000 · 30% of the composite
Investment measures equity raisers, the value of equity raised and first-time raisers. Dacorum's score of 975 is 25 points below the UK benchmark, yet it ranks 91st of 360 authorities and outperforms 74.7% of them. That apparent contrast reflects how investment activity is distributed nationally: a score below 1,000 can still represent a relatively strong position when many authorities score considerably lower.
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
980
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−20 points against the UK · Likely range 964–996 · 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. Dacorum scores 980 here, 20 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 279th of 361 authorities, outperforming only 22.7% of local authorities. This is the area where Dacorum's companies show the least activity relative to the national picture.
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 Hertfordshire
The chart below shows how Dacorum's composite score and pillar scores compare with its neighbours in Hertfordshire.
What is Dacorum's overall score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Dacorum scores 994, placing it 115th of 361 local authorities and 6 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Dacorum compare with the rest of Hertfordshire?
Dacorum ranks 3rd of 10 authorities in Hertfordshire and scores 10 points above the county average of 984.
Which pillar is Dacorum strongest on?
Innovation is Dacorum's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,014, ranking 79th of 361 authorities and sitting 14 points above the UK benchmark.
Where does Dacorum rank in the East of England?
Dacorum ranks 11th of 45 authorities in the East of England, scoring 3 points above the regional average of 991.
What does the UK Local Growth Index actually measure?
The index measures the characteristics of active companies in each local authority, across Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG pillars. It is not a measure of economic output or GDP.
How many companies are counted in Dacorum's score?
The score is based on 11,834 active companies in Dacorum, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
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.
