The big trends holding back growth
C-suite barometer: outlook 2025
Cutting through competition
Capturing the views of more than 600 C-suite leaders across Western Europe, the business outlook for growth appears to be positive with 92% of executives.
C-suite barometer: outlook 2025
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“European businesses are facing significant challenges due to disruptions in the global trade ecosystem and the impact on the global economy. However, opportunities exist for European C-suite leaders who are agile and can adapt quickly by focusing on strategic priorities such as technology transformation, new or revised talent strategies and international expansion. This approach will help them overcome the increased competition that has recently become more pronounced.”
José Caneda
44%
Two thirds have a strategy specifically for implementing generative AI.
67%
While it has remained top of the agenda for a number of years in the region, it has risen in importance significantly from 32% in 2024.
For C-suite executives in Europe, transforming company IT/technology is the top strategic priority, now chosen by 43% of leaders.
Talent strategies
Top strategic priorities of leaders
IT and technology
Expanding internationally
Adapting business models
Central and Eastern Europe
Africa and
Middle East
Latin
America
Central and Eastern Europe
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Economic uncertainty
32%
31%
43%
Nearly three quarters of leaders have a strategy for technology transformation.
72%
Confidence in tackling the key trends
Confidence among C-suite leaders has returned to 2023 levels, suggesting a more cautious and considered approach to tackling the key external trends expected to impact their business in the coming year.
43%
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| Regional outlook: Western Europe
Political tension
Increased competition
We can see a shift in the top five priorities of C-suite leaders in in the region over the last 12 months.
Like other executives around the world, C-suite leaders are experiencing increased competition and are looking to come out on top by adapting their business models and, with a specific consideration to climate change, these are the joint fourth priorities of executives in Western Europe.
42%
Economic uncertainty
The continued volatility from economic uncertainty and political tension around the world is only adding to the increase in competition businesses are experiencing, and the critical trends most likely to hold back growth.
Security protocols and regulatory compliance are the biggest barriers to achieving transformation objectives, alongside speed and complexity of implementation.
Executives are now reprioritising with new or revised talent strategies moving up the agenda, yet the number of executives in Europe reporting difficulties in hiring talent has dropped four points.
C-suite leaders in Europe have their sights firmly set on international expansion plans (25%) with this being the third top priority for businesses, up from fourth place last year.
Executives have significant experience when it comes to setting up supply chains and streamlining operations that will deliver maximum efficiency across global markets to international customers and clients.
Executives in Europe confirm plans to expand internationally to at least one or more country in the next five years.
85%
34%
Increased competition
Regional Chair, Forvis Mazars
Attracting the right candidates to apply is the key hiring challenge alongside a general talent shortage in the market (37%).
38%
Recruiting challenges are primarily at the mid-career and intermediate level.
28%
C-suite executives confirm a struggle to hire talented people into their organisation.
42%
51% leaders say understanding local regulations will be the biggest challenge to expanding into new markets.
Germany and the UK are the top destinations for expansions after the US.
24% leaders are planning to adapt their business models or strategies in response to climate change.
24% entering a new product or service category is a top four priority for nearly a quarter of leaders.
Adapting business models
Expanding internationally
Talent strategies
IT and technology
Adapting business models
Expanding internationally
Talent strategies
IT and technology
Adapting business models
Expanding internationally
Talent strategies
IT and technology
Jose Caneda
Adapting business models
Expanding internationally
Talent strategies
IT and technology
Adapting business models
Expanding internationally
Talent strategies
IT and technology
Adapting business models
Expanding internationally
Talent strategies
IT and technology
Security protocols and regulatory compliance are the biggest barriers to achieving transformation objectives, alongside speed and complexity of implementation.
43%
Two thirds have a strategy specifically for implementing generative AI.
67%
Nearly three quarters of leaders have a strategy for technology transformation.
72%
For C-suite executives in Europe, transforming company IT/technology is the top strategic priority, now chosen by 43% of leaders. While it has remained top of the agenda for a number of years in the region, it has risen in importance significantly from 32% in 2024.
Security protocols and regulatory compliance are the biggest barriers to achieving transformation objectives, alongside speed and complexity of implementation.
43%
For C-suite executives in Europe, transforming company IT/technology is the top strategic priority, now chosen by 43% of leaders. While it has remained top of the agenda for a number of years in the region, it has risen in importance significantly from 32% in 2024.
For C-suite executives in Europe, transforming company IT/technology is the top strategic priority, now chosen by 43% of leaders. While it has remained top of the agenda for a number of years in the region, it has risen in importance significantly from 32% in 2024.
44% executives state the talent shortage in the market is their biggest recruitment challenge – up four points from last year.
57% C-suite leaders now report a struggle to recruit talented people – up from 27% in just 12 months.
51% leaders say understanding local regulations will be the biggest challenge to expanding into new markets.
Germany and the UK are the top destinations for expansions after the US.