South Norfolk ranks 29th of 361 local authorities in the UK Local Growth Index, scoring 45 points above the UK benchmark. It leads its county, placing 1st of 7 authorities in Norfolk, and ranks 3rd of 45 in the East of England. Its strongest result is on Investment, where it sits in the top 10% of all authorities nationally.
Each score is averaged across all active companies in the authority, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a smaller authority with highly active companies can score above a larger one, making the index a fair comparison across authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so South Norfolk's composite of 1,045 places it clearly above the national baseline. The likely range of 1,018 to 1,072 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; because that range is narrow enough to rely on, the score is published.
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 South Norfolk's composite score of 1,045 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,047
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+47 points against the UK · Likely range 1,013–1,081 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant values, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector classifications. South Norfolk ranks 41st of 361 on this pillar, scoring 47 points above the UK benchmark, and outperforms 88.6% of all authorities, placing it in the top 20% nationally.
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
1,020
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+20 points against the UK · Likely range 990–1,050 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are 20% scaleups, their headcount growth over recent years and accelerator attendance. South Norfolk ranks 76th of 360, scoring 20 points above the UK benchmark. It outperforms 78.9% of authorities, though this is its relatively lowest pillar, sitting in the top 25% rather than the top 10% seen elsewhere.
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
1,049
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+49 points against the UK · Likely range 1,004–1,094 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers whether companies have raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised and whether they are first-time equity raisers. This is South Norfolk's strongest pillar: it ranks 25th of 360, scoring 49 points above the UK benchmark and outperforming 93.1% of all authorities, placing it firmly in the top 10% nationally.
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
1,099
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+99 points against the UK · Likely range 1,065–1,133 · 10% of the composite
ESG reflects clean energy activity, other green activities, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. South Norfolk scores 99 points above the UK benchmark on this pillar, ranking 39th of 361 and outperforming 89.2% of authorities, placing it in the top 20% nationally.
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 Norfolk
The chart below shows how South Norfolk's composite score of 1,045 compares with its neighbours across Norfolk, where it leads the county ahead of runner-up Norwich at 1,017.
How does South Norfolk rank in the UK Local Growth Index?
South Norfolk ranks 29th of 361 local authorities, scoring 45 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does South Norfolk compare with the rest of Norfolk?
South Norfolk ranks 1st of 7 authorities in Norfolk, scoring 49 points above the county average of 996. The next highest-ranked authority in the county is Norwich, which scores 1,017.
How does South Norfolk compare with the East of England region?
South Norfolk ranks 3rd of 45 authorities in the East of England, scoring 54 points above the regional average of 991.
What is South Norfolk's strongest pillar in the index?
Investment is South Norfolk's strongest pillar, where it ranks 25th of 360 authorities and scores 49 points above the UK benchmark, placing it in the top 10% nationally.
What does the Local Growth Index actually measure?
The index measures the characteristics of companies in each local authority across four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG. It does not measure economic output or GDP.
How many companies are counted in South Norfolk's score?
The score is based on 6,206 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as each of their 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.
