Nottingham scores 1,021 on the Local Growth Index, placing it 52nd of 361 local authorities in the UK and 21 points above the UK benchmark. It ranks 1st among the 8 authorities in Nottinghamshire and 3rd of 35 in the East Midlands. Innovation is its strongest pillar, sitting 46th nationally.
Each score is averaged across active companies in the authority, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a small authority with highly active companies can score above a larger one, making comparisons across places of very different sizes fair.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so a score of 1,021 means Nottingham's companies are, on balance, more active across the index's measures than the UK average. The likely range of 1,008 to 1,034 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published 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 Nottingham's composite score of 1,021 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,039
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+39 points against the UK · Likely range 1,019–1,059 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, membership of innovative sectors and IS-8 sector classification. Nottingham ranks 46th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 39 points above the UK benchmark, placing it in the top 20% nationally and ahead of 87.3% of all authorities. That result points to a local company base with notably strong engagement with R&D activity and innovative sector classification.
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
1,019
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+19 points against the UK · Likely range 1,001–1,037 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar captures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their annualised headcount growth over recent years and accelerator participation. On Scaling, Nottingham ranks 80th of 360 authorities, scoring 19 points above the UK benchmark. It outperforms 77.8% of authorities, suggesting its companies are adding staff at a rate moderately faster than the UK 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
1,006
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+6 points against the UK · Likely range 984–1,028 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the value of equity raised and first-time equity raisers, all over the last five years. Nottingham ranks 54th of 360 on this pillar, scoring 6 points above the UK benchmark and ahead of 85.0% of all authorities. The score indicates that local companies are accessing equity at a rate close to but slightly above the national level.
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
1,015
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+15 points against the UK · Likely range 1,001–1,029 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Nottingham ranks 169th of 361 authorities here, scoring 15 points above the UK benchmark and outperforming 53.2% of all authorities. While still above the national level, this is Nottingham's weakest pillar relative to its other scores and places it roughly in the middle 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 Nottinghamshire
The chart below shows how Nottingham's composite score compares with neighbouring authorities in Nottinghamshire.
Nottingham scores 1,021 on the Local Growth Index, placing it 52nd of 361 UK local authorities and 21 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Nottingham rank within Nottinghamshire?
Nottingham ranks 1st of the 8 local authorities in Nottinghamshire, scoring 34 points above the county score of 987.
How does Nottingham compare with the East Midlands region?
Nottingham ranks 3rd of 35 authorities in the East Midlands and scores 49 points above the regional score of 972.
Which pillar is Nottingham strongest on?
Innovation is Nottingham's strongest pillar, with a rank of 46th nationally and a score 39 points above the UK benchmark, placing it in the top 20% of all authorities.
How many active companies does the Nottingham score cover?
The score is based on 19,283 active companies in Nottingham, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
What does the likely range on Nottingham's score mean?
The likely range of 1,008 to 1,034 shows how much the score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. Scores are only published when this range is narrow enough to rely on.
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.
