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C-suite barometer: outlook 2025
An optimistic outlook for growth
Our annual C-suite barometer gathers the views of 1,700+ executives from all over the world.
This year’s C-suite barometer shows a positive, but challenging, outlook for growth. 93% C-suite executives have a positive growth outlook for their business.
“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.”
Cutting through competition
Over the past twelve months the business world has re-evaluated initial priorities set in their long-term strategies.
Jon Cambras, Head of Emerging Technology Research, Vanguard
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Embrace new markets
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C-suite barometer: outlook 2025
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“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.”
Partner and Chief Clients & Markets Officer
Mark Kennedy
43%
confirm transformation of IT and new technology as a priority.
43%
Nearly half confirm transforming company IT and new tech at the top of their agenda.
C-suite leaders have not lost focus on the transformative opportunities technology can bring to their businesses.
International expansion
Strategic priorities of the C-suite
Data-powered transformation
Upscaling talent strategies
Responsibility for sustainability
Increased competition is also one of the top trends influencing businesses today and one of the highest risers from last year.
The mounting impact of increased competition
This latest study reveals a business world focused on opportunities for growth and expansion in a more competitive environment.
2025 is the year for C-suite executives to scale up and get ahead. Businesses are building for what's next to cut through the competition.
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Mark Kennedy
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Partner and Chief Clients & Markets Officer, Forvis Mazars Group
Increased competition
Economic trends (including inflation/cost of living)
39%
33%
31%
Insights from the Africa and
Middle East region
Central and Eastern Europe
Africa and
Middle East
Latin
America
Central and Eastern Europe
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Forvis Mazars Group
Emergence of new technologies
Technology transformation is still the biggest priority, and with even more leaders, for the coming three to five years.
25%
International expansion is still firmly in the plans as a top three strategic priority.
25%
Equally, C-suite executives are prioritising people with new talent attraction and retention strategies.
organisations are now using AI for internal processes than commercial products/services last year.
77%
Responsibility for sustainability
Upscaling talent strategies
International expansion
Data-powered transformation
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.
Responsibility for sustainability
Upscaling talent strategies
International expansion
Data-powered transformation
People continue to shape priorities and are the clear capital for organisations to compete and grow.
Responsibility for sustainability
Upscaling talent strategies
International expansion
Data-powered transformation
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.
We’re seeing a welcome shift from organisations integrating sustainability reporting with their financial reporting, up 15 points in the last twelve months.
64%
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.
43%
data capture and quality is still a challenge when producing a report.
33%
In 2025, this drops to 16%, with the emphasis shifting to high-quality employees at more junior levels.
In 2024, three in ten reported the most difficulty in finding talent at the senior/executive level.
Expert insights and analysis
David Benigson
> Read interview
Jon Cambras
> Interview coming soon
> Read interview
Florence Sardas
CEO and Founder, Signal AI
Head of Emerging Technology Research, Vanguard
Chief Transformation Officer, Forvis Mazars Group
> Read interview
Thomas Gomart
Director of Ifri
> Read interview
Veronique Ryckaert
Chief Operations Officer, Forvis Mazars Group
> Read interview
Asam Malik
Partner and Head of Digital & Risk Consulting, Forvis Mazars UK
> Read interview
George Lagarias
Chief Economist, Forvis Mazars Group
Mark Kennedy
Partner and Chief Clients & Markets Officer, Forvis Mazars Group
> Read interview
> Read interview
Emmanuel Thierry
Partner and Group Head
of Sustainability Services,
Forvis Mazars Group
> Read interview
Kevin Stagg
Chief Financial Officer and Board Executive Director, PageGroup plc
Jumana Saleheen
Head of Investment Strategy, Europe, Vanguard
> Read interview
are confident that their level of investment in this area will pay off.
85%
concerns about publicly highlighting areas needing improvement has risen four points.
31%
Over 40% of leaders are targeting three or more new countries.
83% organisations plan to expand to at least one new country in the next five years.
Mark Kennedy
An optimistic outlook for growth
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%
C-suite leaders have not lost focus on the transformative opportunities technology can bring to their businesses.
C-suite leaders have not lost focus on the transformative opportunities technology can bring to their businesses.
Responsibility for sustainability
Upscaling talent strategies
International expansion
Data-powered transformation
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. As in 2024, it is a top strategic priority this year for a quarter of leaders.
The US, Germany, UK, China and Canada come emerges as countries most targeted for expansion.
Responsibility for sustainability
Upscaling talent strategies
International expansion
Data-powered transformation
40% of leaders are targeting three or more new countries.
More than four in five businesses plan to expand to at least one new country in the next 5 years.
C-suite leaders have not lost focus on the transformative opportunities technology can bring to their businesses.
Responsibility for sustainability
Upscaling talent strategies
International expansion
Data-powered transformation
> Read interview
David Benigson
CEO and Founder, Signal AI
> Read interview
Jon Cambras
Head of Emerging Technology Research, Vanguard
> Read interview
Florence Sardas
Chief Transformation Officer, Forvis Mazars Group
> Read interview
Thomas Gomart
Director of Ifri
> Read interview
Florence Sardas
Chief Transformation Officer, Forvis Mazars Group
> Read interview
Jon Cambras
Head of Emerging Technology Research, Vanguard
> Read interview
David Benigson
CEO and Founder, Signal AI
> Read interview
Asam Malik
Partner and Head of Digital & Risk Consulting, Forvis Mazars UK
> Read interview
George Lagarias
Chief Economist, Forvis Mazars Group
> Read interview
Mark Kennedy
Partner and Chief Clients & Markets Officer, Forvis Mazars Group
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43%
C-suite leaders report a struggle to recruit talented people.
“In an environment of increased competition, large companies will not work with you unless you have a net-zero plan or commitment.”
31%
Energy prices and/or shortages
35%
Increased competition
41%
Economic uncertainty
Increased competition is one of the top factors most likely to hold back growth.
30%
National or international political tension/instability
28%
Difficulty recruiting skilled workforce
New or revised talent attraction and retention strategies has risen as a priority this year.
New or revised talent attraction and retention strategies has risen as a priority this year.
In 2024, three in ten reported the most difficulty in finding talent at the senior/executive level.
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> Discover key insights in the C-suite Barometer 2025
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