Peterborough scores 952 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 287th of 361 local authorities and 48 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. It ranks 5th of 6 authorities in Cambridgeshire, 197 points below the county score of 1,149. Across all four pillars, its scores sit below the UK benchmark, with Investment showing the largest gap.
The index measures the characteristics of active companies in each authority, with corporate groups counted once. Because scores are averaged across those companies rather than summed, a smaller authority with highly active businesses can score alongside a much larger one, making this a fair comparison between authorities of different sizes.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so any authority scoring above it has companies that are, on average, more active than the national picture, and any scoring below it has companies that are less active on average. Peterborough's score of 952 sits below that benchmark. The likely range of 942 to 962 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 of England
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 Peterborough's composite score of 952 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
962
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−38 points against the UK · Likely range 946–978 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector membership. Peterborough scores 962 on this pillar, 38 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 214th of 361 authorities. That places it in a mid-lower position nationally but makes it the strongest of its four pillars locally.
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
972
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−28 points against the UK · Likely range 953–991 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are scaleups, their headcount growth rate and whether they have attended an accelerator. Peterborough ranks 288th of 360 on this pillar with a score of 972, sitting 28 points below the UK benchmark. The gap here is the narrowest of its four pillars, though it still outperforms only around one in five authorities nationally.
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
920
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−80 points against the UK · Likely range 901–939 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the value of equity raised and first-time equity raisers over the last five years. At 920, Peterborough's Investment score is 80 points below the UK benchmark, the widest gap across its pillars, and it ranks 286th of 360 authorities. This suggests companies in the area raise equity less frequently and in smaller amounts than is typical across the UK.
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
957
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−43 points against the UK · Likely range 942–972 · 10% of the composite
ESG reflects clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Peterborough ranks 317th of 361 on this pillar with a score of 957, sitting 43 points below the UK benchmark and outperforming only around one in eight authorities nationally. It is the lowest-ranked of Peterborough's four pillars.
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 Cambridgeshire
The chart below places Peterborough's composite score alongside its Cambridgeshire neighbours, showing where it sits within a county that scores 197 points higher overall.
What is Peterborough's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Peterborough scores 952, placing it 287th of 361 local authorities. That is 48 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Peterborough compare to the rest of Cambridgeshire?
Peterborough ranks 5th of 6 authorities in Cambridgeshire and sits 197 points below the county score of 1,149. The highest-scoring authority in the county is Cambridge, which scores 1,442.
How does Peterborough rank in the East of England?
Peterborough ranks 36th of 45 authorities in the East of England and scores 39 points below the regional score of 991.
Which pillar is Peterborough strongest on?
Innovation is Peterborough's highest-scoring pillar at 962, ranking 214th of 361 authorities and sitting 38 points below the UK benchmark.
Where is Peterborough weakest on the index?
ESG is its lowest-ranked pillar, placing 317th of 361 authorities with a score of 957. Investment shows the largest points gap from the UK benchmark at 80 points below.
How many companies are counted in Peterborough's score?
The score is based on 13,644 active companies, 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.
