CEO Outlook 2025

Introduction

Business leaders are steering their organisations through a world defined by uncertainty, technological acceleration, and heightened expectations from stakeholders. The challenges are significant – geopolitical shifts, regulatory complexity, cyber and climate risk. So too are the opportunities to innovate, to lead with purpose, and to create lasting value.

Areas such as technology and AI, energy, and life sciences are amongst those where profound change is already underway and with longer term societal and economic impacts and significant business implications.

That is why CEO insights matter. This research, conducted in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and worldwide on our behalf by Forbes, is based on the views of over 1,300 leaders. They know what it takes to shoulder responsibility, make difficult choices, and inspire teams through change. Our CEO Outlook, now in its tenth year, provides more than a snapshot of sentiment; it offers suggestions for success.

At KPMG we believe the most valuable insights are those that are actionable – grounded in data, sharpened by experience, and relevant to the decisions leaders must make today. These include how to prioritise risks when everything feels urgent. How to harness the transformative potential of AI while preparing people and safeguarding trust. And how to embed sustainability in a way that secures low carbon energy security.

As our research indicates, CEOs are typically more positive about their own organisation than they are about the wider economy. In Northen Ireland, we know from conversations with CEOs that despite measured optimism, economic concerns remain. Yet there is also strong positivity. Northern Ireland offers genuine appeal in terms of market access, a relatively attractive cost base, tech capable talent and quality of life and this is paying dividends for businesses who chose to locate here.

Finally, our thanks to everyone who shared their views with us. At KPMG, we are proud to support so many CEOs and their teams as they work to achieve their ambitions.

Johnny Hanna
Partner-in-charge
KPMG in Northern Ireland

Johnny Hanna

Partner-in-charge, KPMG in Northern Ireland

KPMG in Ireland

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Our survey findings - at a glance

Outlook

NI CEO confidence in economy similar to 2024, despite challenges.

More jobs

86 percent of NI CEOs expect to increase their headcount over the next 3 years.

Company growth

CEOs are positive – 80 percent expect company growth in the next 3 years, up from 70 percent last year.

Increased pressure

74 percent of NI CEOs feel under greater pressure to deliver v’s global average of 80 percent.

Risks

Geopolitics and a fast-changing tech environment are adding to a packed CEO agenda.

People & tech

CEOs believe integration of AI into business processes will have the largest impact on prosperity in the next three years.

Meeting challenges

Two thirds (66 percent) have already adapted growth strategy to meet challenges.

Cyber resilience

Investing in cybersecurity (46 percent) is the single greatest area of investment to minimise risk.

Innovation

AI brings advantages. And new challenges in terms of costs and skills.

AI focus

Eight in ten (80 percent) identify AI as a top investment priority.

Advantage AI

Nine in ten NI CEOs (91 percent) say AI will deliver competitive advantage, mirroring international sentiment.

Skills shifts

Almost seven in ten (69 percent) say AI has already reshaped entry-level roles and 43 percent plan to redeploy staff into AI-enabled jobs.

Sustainability

Sustainability is changing but remains central to CEO plans.

Net Zero

NI confidence on reaching net zero by 2030 is weaker at 34 percent v’s 61 percent worldwide.

Complexity challenges

The complexity of decarbonising supply chains is the biggest challenge for NI CEOs in achieving net zero or sustainability aims.

Meeting demands

Almost half (49 percent) of NI CEOs are aligning sustainability goals with core business strategy to demonstrate value to shareholders.

Explore Risk

Explore Innovation

Explore Sustainability

Next steps

The 2025 KPMG CEO Outlook highlights a year defined by complexity, risk, and opportunity. Economic disruption remains a pressing threat – with tariffs and trade tensions heightening the challenges at home and worldwide.

Protectionist measures add to costs, impacts trade, disrupt supply chains, and, when combined with rapid technological change, the ripple effects can weaken consumer demand and impact on employment.

Yet leaders in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are also optimistic. They recognise the need to stay on the front foot in a world where technology is reshaping business models at pace and providing huge opportunities.

For current and aspiring CEOs, digital literacy at leadership level is increasingly essential and the ability to distinguish genuine opportunity and real risk from noise will in part influence who succeeds.

The challenge is to invest wisely: in technology that delivers measurable benefits, in people, products and services that meet shifting customer needs, and in sustainability strategies that, though under pressure, can drive competitivenes.

In a world where risk, regulation, and reputation intersect more than ever, CEO success will depend on sound judgment and trusted advice. Above all, the strongest organisations will be those that continue to put the judgement and leadership of people first – in leading teams, leading on technology and leading on sustainability at a time of profound change.

St. Stephen's Green, Dublin, seen from above

This edition of the KPMG CEO Outlook was conducted by Forbes Insights on behalf of KPMG with 1,350 CEOs between 5 August and 10 September 2025, provides unique insight into the mindset, strategies and planning tactics of CEOs.

All respondents oversee companies with annual revenues over US$500M and a third of the companies surveyed have more than US$10B in annual revenue. The survey included CEOs from 11 key markets (Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Spain, UK and US) and 12 key industry sectors (asset management, automotive, banking, consumer and retail, energy, healthcare, infrastructure, insurance, life sciences, manufacturing, technology, and telecommunications)

NOTE: Some figures may not add up to 100 percent due to rounding.

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