UK CEOs have identified data scientists as the most important workforce capability that will support future business growth, according to KPMG’s 2018 Global CEO Outlook.
KPMG surveyed 150 UK leaders and a further 1,150 CEOs from across the world about their future investment plans and the challenges and opportunities facing their companies.
More than two thirds of respondents (69%) named data scientists as an important workforce capability in supporting their future growth plans, followed by emerging markets experts (57%) and emerging technology specialists (55%), such as artificial intelligence professionals. The outlook suggests an increasing focus on technological disruption and need to consider market opportunities beyond domestic markets.
Looking ahead, six in 10 UK CEOs (61%) said that they are pre-emptively hiring new skills, regardless of future growth targets. The finding makes a significant statement on business leaders’ attitudes towards market conditions and a commitment to seeing through those challenges. In contrast, CEOs from the rest of the world were less confident as a group with more than half (52%) stating that they are waiting to achieve certain growth targets before hiring new skills.
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