East Devon ranks 92nd of 361 local authorities, with a composite score of 1,003, placing it 3 points above the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on ESG, where it ranks 44th nationally and sits 94 points above the UK. Scaling is the relative weak point, coming in 16 points below the UK average.
The composite score is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
Each pillar score is an average across East Devon's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a smaller authority with highly active companies can rank above a larger one, making this a fair comparison across authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so East Devon's composite of 1,003 puts it fractionally ahead of that national baseline. The likely range of 986 to 1,020 shows how much the score could move with a slightly different mix of companies, and scores are 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 East Devon's composite score of 1,003 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,000
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
±0 points against the UK · Likely range 975–1,025 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector presence. East Devon's Innovation score of 1,000 sits exactly level with the UK benchmark, placing it 111th of 361 authorities and in the top third nationally. Its companies match the typical UK picture on the combination of patent activity, grant funding and sector composition that this pillar captures.
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
984
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−16 points against the UK · Likely range 957–1,011 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are growing headcount rapidly, have attended an accelerator, or meet the 20% scaleup threshold. At 984, East Devon's Scaling score is 16 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 235th of 360 authorities. That places it in the lower half nationally, suggesting companies here are adding staff and hitting high-growth thresholds at a somewhat slower rate than average.
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
994
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−6 points against the UK · Likely range 962–1,026 · 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 ever. East Devon ranks 66th of 360 authorities on this pillar, placing it in the top 20% nationally despite a score of 994, just 6 points below the UK benchmark. Its companies are slightly more active in equity markets than their position relative to the benchmark might suggest, outperforming 81.7% of authorities.
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
1,094
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+94 points against the UK · Likely range 1,070–1,118 · 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. East Devon's ESG score of 1,094 is 94 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 44th of 361 authorities and placing it in the top 20% nationally. That result, outperforming 87.8% of authorities, points to notably strong ESG-related characteristics among its companies.
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 Devon
The chart below compares East Devon's composite score against neighbouring authorities in Devon.
East Devon has a composite score of 1,003, placing it 3 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000. It ranks 92nd of 361 local authorities.
How does East Devon compare to the rest of Devon?
East Devon scores 10 points above the Devon county average of 993 and ranks 3rd of 10 authorities within the county.
How does East Devon compare to the South West region?
East Devon's composite of 1,003 is 3 points below the South West regional score of 1,006, ranking 12th of 27 authorities in the region.
Which pillar is East Devon strongest on?
ESG is East Devon's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,094, which is 94 points above the UK benchmark. It ranks 44th of 361 authorities on ESG, placing it in the top 20% nationally.
Where does East Devon rank on Scaling?
Scaling is East Devon's lowest-scoring pillar, at 984, which is 16 points below the UK benchmark. It ranks 235th of 360 authorities on this measure.
How many companies are counted in East Devon's scores?
The scores are based on 7,491 active companies in East Devon, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate 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.
