Kensington and Chelsea ranks 10th of 361 UK local authorities, with a composite score of 1,104, placing it 104 points above the UK benchmark. Investment is the standout pillar, ranking 9th nationally and sitting 235 points above the benchmark. Scaling also places the borough in the top 5% of authorities.
The composite score draws equally on Innovation, Scaling and Investment (each weighted at 30%) and ESG (weighted at 10%), combining signals on patents, equity raising, headcount growth, clean energy activity and more into a single comparable figure.
Each score is averaged across a borough's active companies, with corporate groups counted once, which means a smaller authority with highly active companies can outscore a much larger one. That makes this a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so any score above that mark means local companies are, on average, more active across these measures than companies nationwide. At 1,104, Kensington and Chelsea sits clearly above that benchmark. The likely range of 1,088 to 1,120 shows how much the score might shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
London
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 Kensington and Chelsea's composite score of 1,104 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,042
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+42 points against the UK · Likely range 1,027–1,057 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers granted patent families, R&D grant values, academic spinout status, and whether companies operate in innovative or IS-8 sectors. Kensington and Chelsea ranks 44th of 361 authorities on this pillar, placing it in the top 20% nationally and 42 points above the UK benchmark, pointing to a meaningful concentration of companies active in patenting, R&D grants or innovative sectors.
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
1,064
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+64 points against the UK · Likely range 1,045–1,083 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies meet the 20% scaleup threshold, their three-year headcount growth rates, and accelerator participation. The borough ranks 18th of 360 on this pillar, in the top 5%, with a score 64 points above the UK benchmark. Companies here are adding staff noticeably faster than the national 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
1,235
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+235 points against the UK · Likely range 1,196–1,274 · 30% of the composite
Investment captures equity-raising activity, the total value of equity raised in the last five years, and whether companies completed their first-ever equity deal in that period. This is Kensington and Chelsea's strongest pillar: ranked 9th of 360 and 235 points above the UK benchmark, it outperforms 97.5% of authorities, reflecting a high rate of equity activity among local companies.
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
1,014
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+14 points against the UK · Likely range 1,001–1,027 · 10% of the composite
ESG covers clean energy activity, other green activities, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit indicators. At 175th of 361 and 14 points above the UK benchmark, Kensington and Chelsea is broadly in line with the national picture on this pillar, sitting near the midpoint of the national distribution.
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 Greater London
The chart below places Kensington and Chelsea's composite score alongside its neighbours in Greater London, where it ranks 4th of 32 authorities, 83 points above the county average of 1,021.
Kensington and Chelsea ranks 10th of 361 UK local authorities on the Local Growth Index, with a composite score of 1,104.
How does Kensington and Chelsea compare to the rest of London?
It ranks 4th of 32 authorities in Greater London, scoring 83 points above the London county average of 1,021 and 71 points above the regional average of 1,033.
Which pillar is strongest for Kensington and Chelsea?
Investment is the strongest pillar, ranked 9th of 360 authorities and 235 points above the UK benchmark. This reflects high levels of equity-raising activity among the borough's companies.
What does the Local Growth Index actually measure?
It measures the characteristics of companies in each local authority across four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. It is not a measure of economic output or GDP.
How many companies are counted in Kensington and Chelsea's score?
The score is based on 18,277 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
What is the likely range for Kensington and Chelsea's score?
The composite score of 1,104 has a likely range of 1,088 to 1,120, which indicates the score is reliable. A score is only published when its likely range is narrow enough to be useful.
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.
