KPMG CEO Outlook 2025: replanned trust

This article is available for reading in Trade magazin 2025/12-2026.01

72% of decision-makers have already adapted their growth strategies to the complex and rapidly changing environment, and 61% expect at least 2.5% annual growth over the next three years.

Confidence among leaders remains solid, yet it is resilience that will shape the future

AI – the driving force of strategic transformation

AI is no longer a promise for the future, but an inevitable factor in corporate operations – most CEOs are now aware of this when making decisions. According to the survey, 71% of company leaders identified AI as their number one investment priority and 69% are willing to allocate 10-20% of their total corporate budget to it. The business rationale for introducing AI is increasingly clear: while the return period was previously estimated at 3–5 years, this year the majority expect results within 1-3 years.

Talent, training and labour market

Global CEOs believe that retaining talent and continuously developing the workforce will be one of the most important factors for corporate success over the next three years. According to KPMG’s research, 77% think the greatest competitive advantage can be achieved by having a committed workforce with the right skills. 71% of firms place particular emphasis on keeping and retraining existing employees, while 61% also plan to recruit new professionals. Demographic changes are also making adaptation increasingly urgent. With the retirement of older generations, knowledge sharing, training the next generation and lifelong learning have risen to a strategic level.

ESG – strategic embedding

While ESG used to be considered primarily a compliance obligation, it has now become part of the narrative of corporate growth. KPMG’s 2025 research has found that 61% of CEOs believe their companies are on track to meet their 2030 net-zero targets – a dramatic increase from 51% last year. At the same time, serious obstacles continue to hinder the realisation of these ambitions: 25% of respondents cited the decarbonisation of supply chains as the main challenge, while 21% named the lack of sustainability competencies. The majority of companies recognised that the green transition isn’t just a cost factor, but can also be a competitive edge.

New leadership competencies in the “new normal”

Economic uncertainty is the biggest challenge for global CEOs, but the role of leadership has also changed. 59% of respondents said their work has become more complex over the past five years, while the speed of decision-making and the amount of information have increased dramatically. Experience and industry knowledge are no longer enough for success: 23% of respondents cited AI and digital literacy, 26% named flexibility, 24% mentioned transparent communication and 23% cited risk management skills as the most important leadership qualities.