West Devon scores 990 on the Local Growth Index, placing it 127th of 361 local authorities and 10 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is a standout ESG score that ranks 9th nationally. Innovation is the relative weak point, sitting 41 points below the UK average.
Each score is an average across local companies, so it reflects how active those companies are on each measure rather than the size of the local economy. That averaging allows fair comparison between authorities of very different scales.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, meaning a score of 990 places West Devon marginally below the national average. The likely range of 965 to 1,015 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.
South West
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 West Devon's composite score of 990 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
959
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−41 points against the UK · Likely range 925–993 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, membership of innovative sectors and IS-8 sector classification. West Devon ranks 224th of 361 authorities on this pillar, 41 points below the UK benchmark, suggesting its companies are less active on these innovation measures than the national norm.
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
1,007
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+7 points against the UK · Likely range 958–1,056 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar measures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator attendance. West Devon's score of 1,007 sits 7 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 132nd of 360 authorities, a broadly middle-of-the-road result indicating its companies are adding staff at a pace close to, and slightly ahead of, the national average.
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
950
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−50 points against the UK · Likely range 897–1,003 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers whether companies have raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised and whether they were first-time equity raisers. At 950, West Devon's score is 50 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 160th of 360 authorities, pointing to a relatively lower rate 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
1,159
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+159 points against the UK · Likely range 1,110–1,208 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals and a not-for-profit proxy. West Devon ranks 9th of 361 authorities on this pillar, 159 points above the UK benchmark, placing it among the strongest-performing authorities in the country on these measures.
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 Devon
The chart below shows how West Devon's composite score compares with neighbouring authorities in Devon.
West Devon scores 990 on the Local Growth Index, placing it 127th of 361 UK local authorities and 10 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does West Devon compare with the rest of Devon?
West Devon ranks 4th of the 10 authorities in Devon, sitting 3 points below the county score of 993. Exeter is the county's runner-up with a score of 1,037.
How does West Devon rank in the South West region?
West Devon ranks 13th of 27 authorities in the South West, scoring 16 points below the regional score of 1,006.
Which pillar is West Devon strongest on?
ESG is West Devon's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,159 that is 159 points above the UK benchmark and ranks 9th of 361 authorities nationally.
Which pillar is West Devon weakest on?
Innovation is West Devon's lowest-scoring pillar at 959, which is 41 points below the UK benchmark and places it 224th of 361 authorities.
How many companies are counted in West Devon's score?
The score covers 2,196 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual 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.
