Dudley scores 953 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 282nd of 361 local authorities and 47 points below the UK benchmark. All four pillars are published. Scaling is its strongest area, sitting closest to the UK benchmark, while Investment trails furthest behind.
The index measures the characteristics of active companies in each authority, with corporate groups counted once. Because each score is averaged across those companies rather than summed, it reflects how active local companies are, not how large the local economy is. That makes it a fair basis for comparing authorities of very different sizes.
A score of 1,000 represents the UK as a whole, so Dudley's composite of 953 places it below the national benchmark. Alongside every score, the index publishes a likely range showing how much the figure could move with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on, and Dudley's composite range of 944 to 962 meets that test.
West Midlands
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 Dudley's composite score of 953 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
946
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−54 points against the UK · Likely range 933–959 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector membership. Dudley's Innovation score of 946 sits 54 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 277th of 361 authorities, and outperforms only 23.3% of authorities. That places it among the lower quarter nationally on this pillar.
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
986
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−14 points against the UK · Likely range 969–1,003 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies qualify as scaleups, their headcount growth rate over recent years, and accelerator participation. At 986, Dudley's Scaling score is 14 points below the UK benchmark, its narrowest gap across the four pillars, and it ranks 222nd of 360 authorities, outperforming 38.3% of peers.
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
920
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−80 points against the UK · Likely range 903–937 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the value of equity raised, and first-time raisers, all over the last five years. Dudley's Investment score of 920 is 80 points below the UK benchmark, the widest gap of any pillar, and the authority ranks 284th of 360. Equity activity among local companies is notably limited relative to the national picture.
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
970
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−30 points against the UK · Likely range 957–983 · 10% of the composite
ESG looks at clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. Dudley scores 970, which is 30 points below the UK benchmark. It ranks 297th of 361 authorities on this pillar, outperforming 17.7% of peers, making it Dudley's lowest-ranked pillar despite carrying the smallest weight in the composite.
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 Midlands
The chart below sets Dudley's composite score against its neighbours in the West Midlands, where it ranks 22nd of 30 authorities with a score of 953, 12 points below the regional score of 965.
What is Dudley's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Dudley scores 953, placing it 282nd of 361 local authorities and 47 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Dudley compare to other West Midlands authorities?
Dudley ranks 22nd of 30 authorities in the West Midlands region. Its composite score of 953 is 12 points below the regional score of 965.
Which pillar is Dudley strongest on?
Scaling is Dudley's strongest pillar, with a score of 986 that is 14 points below the UK benchmark. It ranks 222nd of 360 authorities on this measure.
Where does Dudley rank for investment activity?
Dudley ranks 284th of 360 authorities on Investment, with a score of 920. That is 80 points below the UK benchmark, the largest gap of any of its four pillars.
How many active companies are counted in Dudley's score?
The index counts 17,136 active companies in Dudley, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the likely range on Dudley's score mean?
The likely range of 944 to 962 shows how much the composite score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies. Dudley's range is narrow enough to publish with confidence.
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.
