St Albans ranks 44th of 361 UK local authorities, with a composite score of 1,028, placing it 28 points above the UK benchmark. Its strongest performance is on Investment, where it ranks 29th nationally and outperforms more than nine in ten authorities. All four pillar scores are published and sit above the UK benchmark of 1,000.
The composite score is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
Each score is an average across active companies in the area, with corporate groups counted once. That means a smaller authority with highly active companies can score above a larger one, making this a fair comparison across authorities of very different sizes.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so St Albans' composite score of 1,028 means its companies are, on average, more active across the index measures than those across the UK as a whole. The likely range of 1,013 to 1,043 shows how much the score could move 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 St Albans's composite score of 1,028 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,038
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+38 points against the UK · Likely range 1,021–1,055 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, R&D grant value, academic spinout status, and activity in innovative sectors and IS-8 sectors. St Albans ranks 48th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 38 points above the UK benchmark, placing it in the top 20% nationally and outperforming 86.7% of authorities.
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
1,006
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+6 points against the UK · Likely range 986–1,026 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are scaleups, their headcount growth rate, and accelerator participation. At 136th of 360 authorities and just 6 points above the UK benchmark, St Albans sits in the middle of the national distribution on this pillar, outperforming 62.2% of 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
1,043
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+43 points against the UK · Likely range 1,011–1,075 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the value of equity raised, and first-time raisers, all in the last five years. This is St Albans' strongest pillar: ranking 29th of 360 authorities and 43 points above the UK benchmark, it outperforms 91.9% of authorities and sits 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
1,017
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+17 points against the UK · Likely range 1,000–1,034 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar reflects company-level signals including clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance indicators, and not-for-profit proxy status. St Albans scores 17 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 164th of 361 authorities and outperforming 54.6%, a more modest lead than on its other 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 Hertfordshire
The chart below shows how St Albans' composite score of 1,028 compares with neighbouring authorities across Hertfordshire and the East of England.
How does St Albans rank in the UK Local Growth Index?
St Albans ranks 44th of 361 UK local authorities, with a composite score of 1,028, which is 28 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does St Albans compare with the rest of Hertfordshire?
St Albans ranks 2nd of 10 authorities in Hertfordshire, scoring 44 points above the county average of 984. The closest authority in the county is Stevenage, which scores 1,030.
What is St Albans' strongest pillar in the index?
Investment is St Albans' strongest pillar, with a score that ranks 29th nationally and sits 43 points above the UK benchmark, putting it in the top 10% of all authorities.
How does St Albans score on Innovation?
St Albans scores 38 points above the UK benchmark on Innovation, ranking 48th of 361 authorities and placing it in the top 20% nationally. The Innovation pillar covers patents, R&D grant value, academic spinout status, and activity in innovative and IS-8 sectors.
How many active companies are counted in St Albans?
The index counts 12,441 active companies in St Albans, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
How does St Albans compare with the East of England region?
St Albans ranks 5th of 45 authorities in the East of England and scores 37 points above the regional average of 991.
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.
