MORE than three in five UK business leaders expect to increase headcount this year, fuelled by a desire to access key skills, a key survey reveals.
Skills shortages were flagged as the top concern of chief executives.
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UK business leaders are less optimistic about prospects for revenue growth on a 12-month time horizon than they were in the previous annual survey, albeit they remain upbeat, the survey published by accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers at Davos shows.
The 61% of UK business leaders expecting to increase headcount over the coming year was higher than a corresponding 54% in the previous annual survey and ahead of 53% globally.
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Of the UK chief executives surveyed, 82% anticipate revenue growth over the next 12 months. This is in line with global responses but down from the 88% expecting an increase in revenue on a 12-month time horizon in the previous annual survey.
The proportion of UK chief executives expecting a decline in global growth on a 12-month time horizon has nearly trebled over the past year, rising from 12% to 34%.
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Kevin Ellis, chairman and senior partner of PwC, said: “Uncertainty is at the forefront of UK CEOs’ minds but they know, regardless of market conditions, there are always opportunities for growth. CEO confidence on hiring is a very positive sign.”
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