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C-suite barometer: outlook 2025
Cutting through competition
UK data insights
Download our UK data insights
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Our annual C-suite barometer gathers the views of 1,700+ executives from all over the world.
We drill down into the survey responses from 248 UK C-suite executives and what the results tell us about the UK market.
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An optimistic
outlook for growth
This year’s C-suite barometer shows a positive, but challenging, outlook for growth.
92% of UK C-suite executives have a positive growth outlook for their businesses.
“Achieving growth in 2025 will mean navigating
a number of key uncertainties. The overarching challenge will be maintaining strategic priorities
and a clear vision amid new market entrants, continuing technological disruption and potential market turbulence if they are to lead their businesses to success and cut through increasing competition.”
Mark Kennedy
Partner and Chief Clients & Markets Officer
Forvis Mazars Group
The mounting impact of increased competition
Economic uncertainty and political tension/instability are top factors holding back growth for UK companies
Economic uncertainty
50%
National or international political tension/instability
34%
Increased
competition
32%
Energy prices and/or shortages
31%
Difficulty recruiting skilled workforce
31%
Economic trends and increased ESG expectations are the biggest trends affecting UK companies.
Economic trends (including inflation/cost of living)
43%
ESG expectations from regulators and society
32%
Emergence of new technologies
31%
Topping the UK C-suite agenda
Over the past twelve months, the business world has re-evaluated initial priorities set in their long-term strategies.
51%
Transforming company IT and technology is one of the priorities that has risen most with leaders.
25%
Adapting to climate change is now the second highest priority, higher than in other countries.
24%
C-suite executives are prioritising people with new talent attraction and retention strategies.
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“The top strategic priorities we’re seeing emerge are collectively a larger route to transformation – these should not be addressed as three separate things. Organisations need talent and technology in an increasingly global marketplace and a culture of innovation to evolve.”
Jon Cambras, Head of Emerging
Technology Research, Vanguard
Strategic priorities of UK C-suite
Data-powered transformation
International
expansion
Upscaling talent strategies
Responsibility for sustainability
Data-powered transformation
International
expansion
Upscaling talent strategies
Responsibility for sustainability
Data-powered transformation
International
expansion
Upscaling talent strategies
Responsibility for sustainability
Data-powered transformation
International
expansion
Upscaling talent strategies
Responsibility
for sustainability
85% of UK organisations plan to expand to at least one new country in the next five years.
50% of UK leaders are
targeting three or more countries
“In an environment of increased competition, large companies will not work with you unless you have a net-zero plan or commitment.”
When it comes to sustainability compliance and reporting today, organisations are not just reacting to regulator’s requirements, but on the competitive growth value ESG can bring.
C-suite leaders have not lost focus
on the transformative opportunities technology can bring to their businesses.
People continue to shape priorities
and are the clear capital for organisations to compete and grow.
The world may have altered dramatically in the last twelve months, but C-suite executives are sticking to their plans and priorities on international expansion.
Nearly half confirm transforming company IT
and new tech at the top of their agenda.
37%
62%
37%
57%
35%
of UK C-suite leaders report a struggle to recruit talented people.
81%
51%
85%
organisations are now using AI for internal processes than commercial products/services last year.
confirm transformation of IT and new technology as a priority.
are confident that their level of
investment in this area will pay off.
We’re seeing a welcome shift from organisations integrating sustainability reporting with their financial reporting.
data capture and quality is still a challenge when producing a report.
concerns about publicly highlighting areas needing improvement has risen four points.
C-suite leaders consider ESG reporting requirements to be more of a cost than an opportunity, given the complexity of standards around the world and the strain on resources to deliver.
Expert insights
and analysis
Jon Cambras
Head of Emerging Technology Research, Vanguard
> Interview coming soon
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C-suite barometer: outlook 2025
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Asam Malik
Partner - Head of Digital & Risk Consulting
Gareth Jones
Head of Growth: Mid-market and private client
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