Tunbridge Wells ranks 123rd of 361 UK local authorities, with a composite score of 991, placing it 9 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is in Investment, where it ranks 71st nationally and outperforms 80.3% of authorities. Across all four pillars, scores sit close to the UK benchmark, with ESG the only measure above it.
The composite score is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
Each score is averaged across the authority's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a smaller authority with highly active companies can score above a much larger one, making this a fair comparison across authorities of very different sizes.
A UK benchmark score of 1,000 means that Tunbridge Wells, at 991, sits just below the national average across its 8,938 active companies. Every score also comes with a likely range showing how much it could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
South East
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 Tunbridge Wells's composite score of 991 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
982
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−18 points against the UK · Likely range 965–999 · 30% of the composite
Innovation is measured through granted patent families filed recently, R&D grant value, academic spinout status, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector classification. Tunbridge Wells scores 982 on this pillar, 18 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 149th of 361 authorities and outperforming 58.7% of them, a position in the middle of the national distribution.
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
996
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−4 points against the UK · Likely range 973–1,019 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar captures headcount growth, scaleup status and accelerator attendance across local companies. At 996, Tunbridge Wells sits just 4 points below the UK benchmark, though its rank of 182nd of 360 authorities means it outperforms only 49.4% of peers, making this its weakest pillar by rank.
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
988
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−12 points against the UK · Likely range 959–1,017 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raised in the last five years, whether companies raised equity at all, and whether any deal was a first-time raise. Tunbridge Wells ranks 71st of 360 authorities here, outperforming 80.3% of the country, making this its strongest pillar and placing it within the top 20% nationally, even though its score of 988 remains 12 points below the UK benchmark.
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
1,014
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+14 points against the UK · Likely range 995–1,033 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Tunbridge Wells scores 1,014, the only pillar above the UK benchmark, sitting 14 points above it and outperforming 52.1% of authorities, ranking 173rd of 361.
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 Kent
The chart below sets Tunbridge Wells's composite score against its neighbours in Kent, where it ranks 3rd of 13 authorities, scoring 24 points above the county average of 967.
What is Tunbridge Wells's Local Growth Index score?
Tunbridge Wells scores 991 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 123rd of 361 local authorities and 9 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Tunbridge Wells compare to the rest of Kent?
Tunbridge Wells ranks 3rd of 13 authorities in Kent and scores 24 points above the county average of 967.
How does Tunbridge Wells compare to the South East region?
Within the South East, Tunbridge Wells ranks 36th of 64 authorities, scoring 12 points below the regional average of 1,003.
Which pillar is strongest for Tunbridge Wells?
Investment is Tunbridge Wells's strongest pillar. It ranks 71st of 360 authorities on Investment, outperforming 80.3% of local authorities across the UK, placing it in the top 20% nationally.
How many active companies are counted in Tunbridge Wells's score?
The index counts 8,938 active companies in Tunbridge Wells, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
What does the likely range on the Tunbridge Wells score mean?
The likely range of 978 to 1,004 shows how much the composite score could shift 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.
