Forvis Mazars C-suite barometer

At the start of the year, our C-suite barometer uncovered a business world embracing change, investing in technology and people, and reimagining strategies to stay ahead of disruption and competition. Six months on, the latest mid-year insights point to diversification as the defining condition for growth.

Our annual C-suite barometer gathers the views of 3,000+ leading executives from all over the world. This latest study uncovers a global paradox – uncertainty is now the norm, yet opportunities are abundant. In 2026, leaders are building organisations ready for what’s next: embracing change, investing in technology and people, and reimagining strategies to stay ahead of disruption and competition. Success now rests on adaptability as much as ambition.

Businesses are building for what's next to cut through the competition. Our latest study of 1,700+ executives in 35+ countries reveals a positive, but challenging, growth outlook in 2025: a year driven by opportunities for businesses to scale up priorities and transformation strategies, in response to heightened competition and increasing geopolitical factors.

With insights from around 800 executives in over 30 countries, our C-suite barometer revealed that 2024 was a bounce forward year. With optimism and confidence at the highest we’ve recorded, business had its eyes firmly set on a positive future, and leaders were looking to expand and grow with confidence.

Our latest C-suite barometer shows that, while recognising the significant challenges of the past year, including inflation and economic instability, high energy prices, war and geopolitical tensions, leaders have a fighting spirit and positive outlook for 2023. Technology and sustainability stand out as their top two strategic priorities for the coming three to five years, with the C-suite investing in these areas to ensure their business is fit for tomorrow.