Vale of White Horse ranks 5th of 361 UK local authorities on the Local Growth Index, with a composite score of 1,287, placing it 287 points above the UK benchmark. All four pillars sit well above the UK average, with Innovation leading at 4th nationally. The district also ranks 2nd in Oxfordshire, 119 points above the county score.
The composite score for Vale of White Horse is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
Each score is calculated as an average across active companies in the area, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging is what makes the index a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes: a small district with highly innovative companies can score as highly as a large city.
Because the UK as a whole scores 1,000, Vale of White Horse's composite score of 1,287 means its companies are considerably more active across the index measures than the national norm. Each score also comes with a likely range, showing how much it could move with a slightly different mix of companies. A score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on, and all four pillar scores for Vale of White Horse meet that bar.
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 Vale of White Horse's composite score of 1,287 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,455
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+455 points against the UK · Likely range 1,383–1,527 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, presence in innovative sectors, and coverage of the eight IS-8 sectors. Vale of White Horse ranks 4th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 1,455, some 455 points above the UK benchmark. It outperforms 98.9% of all authorities, placing it firmly in the top 2% 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
1,098
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+98 points against the UK · Likely range 1,065–1,131 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are scaleups, their headcount growth over the latest four years of accounts, and whether they have attended an accelerator. Vale of White Horse ranks 7th of 360 authorities, scoring 1,098, which is 98 points above the UK average. Its companies are adding staff noticeably faster than the national norm, putting it in the top 2% of authorities on this measure.
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
1,355
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+355 points against the UK · Likely range 1,283–1,427 · 30% of the composite
Investment looks at whether companies raised equity in the last five years, the value of that equity, and whether any raises were a company's first ever. Vale of White Horse scores 1,355 on this pillar, ranking 5th of 360 authorities and sitting 355 points above the UK benchmark. It outperforms 98.6% of authorities, reflecting a strong pattern of equity activity among its companies.
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
1,140
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+140 points against the UK · Likely range 1,105–1,175 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Vale of White Horse ranks 14th of 361 authorities at 1,140, which is 140 points above the UK benchmark. This is the district's lowest-scoring pillar relative to its other results, though it still sits in the top 5% nationally and outperforms 96.1% of all authorities.
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 Oxfordshire
The chart below shows how Vale of White Horse's composite score compares with its neighbours across Oxfordshire.
How does Vale of White Horse rank on the UK Local Growth Index?
Vale of White Horse ranks 5th of 361 local authorities in the UK, with a composite score of 1,287. That puts it 287 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Vale of White Horse compare to the rest of Oxfordshire?
Vale of White Horse ranks 2nd of the five authorities in Oxfordshire, scoring 119 points above the county average of 1,168.
Which pillar does Vale of White Horse score highest on?
Innovation is its strongest pillar, with a score of 1,455 and a national rank of 4th out of 361 authorities. That places it 455 points above the UK benchmark.
How many active companies are included in Vale of White Horse's scores?
The index covers 7,485 active companies in Vale of White Horse, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate entities.
What does the likely range mean for Vale of White Horse's score?
The likely range of 1,243 to 1,331 shows how much the composite score could move if the mix of companies in the district were slightly different. The score is only published because that range is narrow enough to be reliable.
How does Vale of White Horse compare to the South East region?
Vale of White Horse ranks 2nd of 64 authorities in the South East and scores 284 points above the regional average of 1,003.
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.
