North Devon scores 977 on the Local Growth Index, placing it 175th of 361 local authorities in the UK and 23 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is in ESG, where it ranks 20th nationally. Investment is the area where it sits furthest below the UK average.
Each score is an average across a place's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a smaller authority with active companies can rank alongside a larger one on equal terms, making comparisons across authorities of very different sizes fair.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so North Devon's composite of 977 places it modestly below that national reference point. The likely range of 959 to 995 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies, and 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 North Devon's composite score of 977 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
963
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−37 points against the UK · Likely range 938–988 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patenting activity, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, and whether companies operate in innovative or IS-8 sectors. North Devon scores 963 on this pillar, 37 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 211th of 361 authorities and outperforming 41.6% of them.
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
987
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−13 points against the UK · Likely range 952–1,022 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator participation. At 987, North Devon is 13 points below the UK benchmark on this pillar, its closest result to the national average, ranking 216th of 360 authorities.
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
932
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−68 points against the UK · Likely range 896–968 · 30% of the composite
Investment reflects equity raising activity, the amounts raised and first-time equity raisers among local companies. North Devon's score of 932 is 68 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 224th of 360 authorities, and represents its weakest pillar result.
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
1,121
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+121 points against the UK · Likely range 1,087–1,155 · 10% of the composite
ESG covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxies. North Devon scores 1,121 here, 121 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 20th of 361 authorities and outperforming 94.5% of all authorities. This is comfortably its highest-scoring pillar.
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 North Devon's composite score with neighbouring authorities in Devon.
North Devon scores 977 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 175th of 361 local authorities. That puts it 23 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does North Devon compare with the rest of Devon?
North Devon ranks 7th of the 10 authorities in Devon, scoring 16 points below the county average of 993. Exeter is the county's second-highest scorer at 1,037.
How does North Devon compare with the South West region?
North Devon ranks 19th of 27 authorities in the South West, scoring 29 points below the regional average of 1,006.
Which pillar is North Devon strongest on?
ESG is North Devon's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,121, ranking 20th nationally and 121 points above the UK benchmark. It outperforms 94.5% of all authorities on this measure.
Which pillar is North Devon weakest on?
Investment is North Devon's lowest-scoring pillar at 932, which is 68 points below the UK benchmark. It ranks 224th of 360 authorities on equity raising activity.
How many companies are counted in North Devon's score?
The score is based on 4,359 active companies in North Devon, 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.
