North Kesteven scores 980 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 161st of 361 local authorities and 20 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on Scaling, where it ranks in the top 20% nationally. Investment is the area where it trails the UK average most noticeably.
Each pillar score is averaged across the district's 4,516 active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a place with fewer but more active companies can score as highly as a larger economy, making this a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so North Kesteven's composite of 980 sits just below that national reference point. The likely range of 962 to 998 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is published only when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
East 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 North Kesteven's composite score of 980 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
972
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−28 points against the UK · Likely range 947–997 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, R&D grant value, academic spinout status, and whether companies operate in innovative or IS-8 sectors. North Kesteven scores 972 here, ranking 177th of 361 authorities and sitting 28 points below the UK benchmark, suggesting its companies are somewhat less active on these innovation measures than the national average.
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
1,025
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+25 points against the UK · Likely range 988–1,062 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator attendance. At 1,025, North Kesteven ranks 63rd of 360 authorities, placing it in the top 20% nationally and 25 points above the UK benchmark. Its companies are adding staff and hitting growth thresholds at a notably stronger rate than most of the country.
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
922
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−78 points against the UK · Likely range 887–957 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the amount of equity raised and first-time raisers over the last five years. North Kesteven's score of 922 ranks 280th of 360, leaving it 78 points below the UK benchmark. Companies in the district are raising external equity less frequently and in smaller amounts than the national norm.
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
1,044
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+44 points against the UK · Likely range 1,011–1,077 · 10% of the composite
ESG reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. North Kesteven scores 1,044 here, ranking 104th of 361 and 44 points above the UK benchmark, indicating relatively strong ESG characteristics across its company base.
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 Lincolnshire
The chart below places North Kesteven's composite score alongside its Lincolnshire neighbours, where it ranks 2nd of 9 authorities in the county, scoring 25 points above the county average of 955.
What is North Kesteven's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
North Kesteven scores 980, placing it 161st of 361 local authorities. That puts it 20 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does North Kesteven compare to the rest of Lincolnshire?
North Kesteven ranks 2nd of 9 authorities in Lincolnshire, scoring 25 points above the county average of 955.
Which pillar is North Kesteven's strongest?
Scaling is its highest-scoring pillar at 1,025, ranking 63rd of 360 authorities and placing it in the top 20% nationally. This reflects relatively strong headcount growth, scaleup rates and accelerator attendance among its companies.
Where does North Kesteven rank on investment?
Investment is North Kesteven's weakest pillar, scoring 922 and ranking 280th of 360 authorities. It sits 78 points below the UK benchmark on equity raising activity.
How does North Kesteven compare to the East Midlands region?
North Kesteven scores 8 points above the East Midlands regional average of 972, ranking 14th of 35 authorities in the region.
What does the UK Local Growth Index actually measure?
It measures the characteristics of a local authority's business economy across Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG pillars. Scores are averaged across active companies, with corporate groups counted once, so the index reflects how active local companies are rather than the overall size of the local economy.
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.
