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Nearly three-in-five CEOs optimistic about global economic outlook as they plan headcount increases and continued AI rollout: PwC 2025 Global CEO Survey
- Almost 60% of CEOs expect global growth to increase over the next 12 months, up from 38% last year and 18% two years ago
- 42% expect to increase headcount over the next 12 months – more than twice the number expecting to decrease it. CEOs more likely to say GenAI led to headcount increases than decreases
- CEOs are seeing tangible impacts from GenAI: 56% reported efficiency gains, while one-third saw profitability (34%) and revenue (32%) increases
- 42% of CEOs believe their company will not be viable beyond the next 10 years without reinvention, as nearly four in ten say they have begun competing in new sectors in the last five years
- Climate related investments six times more likely to have resulted in increased revenue than decreased revenue
DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Almost 60% of CEOs around the world expect global economic growth to increase over the next 12 months, according to PwC’s 28th Annual Global CEO Survey, launched today during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting.
The report, which surveyed 4,701 CEOs across 109 countries and territories, also finds that 42% expect to increase headcount by 5% or more in the next 12 months – more than double the proportion who expect headcount decreases (17%), and up from 39% last year. The percentage is highest (48%) among smaller companies (less than US$100 million) and those in the technology (61%), real estate (61%), private equity (52%) and pharma and life sciences (51%) sectors.
While CEOs are optimistic about the global economy, macroeconomic volatility (29%) and inflation (27%) nevertheless remain the top risks for the year ahead cited by CEOs globally, but with clear differences between regions. Geopolitical conflict is seen as the biggest risk in the Middle East (41%) and Central and Eastern Europe (34%). In Western Europe, cyber risk (27%) is a marginally higher concern than a lack of skilled workers (25%) and inflation (24%) – with macroeconomic volatility topping the list at 29%. Inflation is the top concern in Africa (39%), while North America and Asia-Pacific prioritise risks largely in line with the global averages.
Mohamed Kande, Global Chairman, PwC, said:
“This year’s CEO Survey findings highlight a stark juxtaposition – business leaders around the world are optimistic about the year ahead, but also know they must reinvent how they create, deliver and capture value. Emerging technologies such as GenAI, shifts in geopolitics, and the climate transition are all revolutionising how the economy works. New business ecosystems are forming, transforming how companies compete and create value. To thrive, business leaders must act now and take bold decisions around their strategy – ranging from people, footprint and supply chain, right through to reinventing their business model.”
The reinvention imperative
Consistent with the last two years, four in ten (42%) CEOs believe their company will not be viable beyond the next decade if it continues on its current path. Among those that do not expect to last without significant change, 42% cite shifts in the regulatory environment as having the biggest influence on their economic viability.
But CEOs are taking action – across all sectors, almost two-thirds (63%) have taken at least one significant action to change how their company creates, delivers, and captures value in the last five years, with CEOs that have taken more reinvention actions in the last five years reporting higher profit margins in the last 12 months.
As companies look to reinvent their business models, almost four in ten (38%) say they have begun competing in at least one new sector in the last five years – with about one-third (34%) noting this has represented over 20% of company revenue over this period.
However, the pace of reinvention is slow and a large majority of companies lack agility. When it comes to moving budget and people between projects and business units, around half of CEOs told us that they reallocate 10% or less of financial and human resources from year to year. More than two-thirds reallocate less than 20%. On average, only 7% of revenue over the last five years has come from distinct new businesses.
CEOs are optimistic about the potential of GenAI, but are looking for stronger results
CEOs are reporting tangible impact from GenAI. More than half (56%) report seeing efficiency gains in their employees’ time over the last 12 months, and one-third saw revenue (32%) increases.
However, performance is somewhat below expectations expressed last year. In 2024, 46% said they expected to see profitability improvements. A year later, when we asked if they had seen those gains, only 34% said they had. Trust in AI remains a hurdle to more widespread adoption. Only a third of CEOs said they have a high degree of trust in embedding the technology into key processes in their company.
Despite this, optimism about GenAI’s impacts on profitability is slightly up on last year – with 49% expecting an increase in the next 12 months. Roughly half (47%) expect to integrate AI (including GenAI) into their technology platforms over the next three years, 41% plan to integrate it into core business processes and 30% have plans for new products and service development.
While it is early days, there is nothing in our data to suggest a widespread reduction in employment opportunities across the global economy as a result of GenAI. More CEOs say GenAI has increased headcount than decreased it (17% v 13%).
Matt Wood, Global & US Commercial Technology & Innovation Officer (CTIO), PwC, said:
“This year’s survey shows a more mature view of GenAI in the enterprise. CEOs are convinced it has the power to unlock new opportunities – in fact they are more optimistic than last year. At the same time, they are more aware of the challenges they need to navigate to realise that value. They see the importance of building trust into the way their AI systems are designed, and for now are prioritising integration into core business processes. It is important that they also see the potential GenAI has to generate growth through new products and services and create value in new ways.”
Climate investments are paying off
As the climate transition continues to impact businesses, CEOs continue to take action. When we asked CEOs to take stock of the financial impact of climate related investments over the last five years, we found that these moves were six times more likely to have resulted in increased revenue (33%) than decreased revenue (5%). In addition, nearly two-thirds of CEOs reported that climate related investments had either reduced costs or had no significant impact on costs.
However, challenges remain around initiating climate related investments: CEOs that made such investments cite regulatory complexity as the top factor (24%) inhibiting their companies’ ability to initiate those investments, as opposed to lower returns on investment (18%) or lack of buy-in from management or the board (6%).
Carol Stubbings, Global Chief Commercial Officer, PwC, said:
“Three-plus decades of digitisation have started to break down formerly impermeable boundaries between sectors, while the combined impact of the climate transition, AI, and other megatrends will hasten the process of reconfiguration. This survey shows that business leaders are facing this future with a combination of optimism about the economy and realism that business needs to fundamentally reinvent how it creates value if it is to thrive in the future.”
Notes to Editors
About the 28th Annual PwC Global CEO Survey
PwC surveyed 4,701 CEOs across 109 countries and territories from 1 October through 8 November 2024. The global and regional figures are weighted proportionally to country nominal GDP. The industry and country-level figures are based on unweighted data from the full sample of 4,701 CEOs. The full findings can be accessed on pwc.com/ceosurvey.
About PwC
At PwC, our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. We’re a network of firms in 149 countries with more than 370,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory and tax services. Find out more and tell us what matters to you by visiting us at www.pwc.com.
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Healthcare Holding Schweiz AG, a leading service provider and distributor of medical devices in Switzerland, is expanding its portfolio with the acquisition of Effectum CH-Rep AG. Healthcare Holding Schweiz is managed by Winterberg Advisory GmbH.
BAAR, Switzerland, March 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Healthcare Holding Schweiz AG has successfully completed the acquisition of Effectum CH-Rep AG. This transaction marks a carve-out of all services provided as Swiss Authorized Representative (CH-REP) from Effectum Medical AG. Under the Medical Devices Ordinance (MedDO SR 812.213) effective since May 26, 2021, manufacturers of medical devices without a registered office in Switzerland must appoint a CH-REP to distribute their products within the country. Through this acquisition, Healthcare Holding Schweiz AG strengthens its position as a comprehensive partner for medical technology manufacturers worldwide. With its group of companies, it can now provide integrated services that encompass not only import and distribution but also full compliance with regulatory requirements.
Fabio Fagagnini, CEO of Healthcare Holding Schweiz, expressed his enthusiasm for the acquisition: “With Effectum CH-Rep, we are expanding our service portfolio to include the role of Swiss Authorized Representative, thereby strengthening our growing group. This allows our sales representatives and managing directors to focus even more on innovative products and exceptional customer service, with the assurance that all regulatory requirements are being professionally met.”
Kim Züger, Head of Quality Management & Regulatory Affairs and the newly appointed Director of Effectum CH-Rep, emphasized: “Regulatory compliance is our top priority. Through Effectum CH-Rep, we offer this service not only to suppliers of Healthcare Holding Schweiz but also to numerous other manufacturers—a clear testament to our professionalism and high-quality standards.”
Michael Eggimann, Board Member of Effectum Medical AG and responsible for the sale of Effectum CH-Rep AG, added: “We have valued working with Fabio Fagagnini and his team for many years and are confident that Effectum CH-Rep is in excellent hands. This transition allows us to fully concentrate on the further development and distribution of our Legal Manufacturing offering as well as our innovative plug-and-play quality management system, while continuing to collaborate closely with Effectum CH-Rep for the benefit of our customers.”
About Effectum CH-Rep AG
Effectum CH-Rep AG, based in Olten, facilitates access for foreign manufacturers of medical devices to the Swiss market by acting as the Swiss Authorized Representative (CH-REP). As a CH-REP, Effectum CH-Rep AG takes on responsibilities such as ensuring compliance with Swiss registration requirements, collaborating with Swissmedic on preventive and corrective actions, providing a Person Responsible for Regulatory Compliance (PRRC), guaranteeing access to technical documentation, and reporting incidents and complaints.
About Healthcare Holding Schweiz AG
Healthcare Holding Schweiz AG is a Buy, Build & Technologize platform and a leading provider of medical technology products and services in Switzerland. The group is based in Baar and pursues an ambitious growth strategy through acquisitions, often in the context of succession arrangements, partnerships, and organic growth. Healthcare Holding Schweiz and its group companies are committed to the highest standards of innovation and customer satisfaction. The group consistently leverages technology to make business processes safer and more efficient. As a market leader, the company sets new standards for the industry and offers employees attractive development opportunities. All of the management team holds shares in Healthcare Holding Schweiz, thus forming a dynamic community of entrepreneurs.
About Winterberg Advisory GmbH and Winterberg Group AG
Winterberg Group AG, based in Zug, operates as an independent family office for its founders. Winterberg mainly invests in SMEs in the German-speaking region, and selectively considers investments in startups and real estate. Winterberg Advisory GmbH is a general partner and fund manager regulated by the German BaFin. Winterberg Advisory has launched numerous private equity funds and is invested in Healthcare Holding Schweiz AG through its funds Winterberg Investment VIII and Winterberg Investment IX. The two Partners and Executive Directors, Fabian Kröher and Florian Brickenstein, manage Healthcare Holding Schweiz AG via its board of directors.
For press inquiries, please contact [email protected]
For more information about Dental Axess AG, visit www.effectum-chrep.com
For more information about Healthcare Holding Schweiz AG, visit www.healthcare-holding.ch
For more information about the portfolio companies of Healthcare Holding, visit www.senectovia.ch, www.winthermedical.ch, www.mikrona.ch, www.orthowalker.ch, www.mcm-medsys.ch, www.naropa-reha.ch, www.mvb-medizintechnik.ch, www.dentalaxess.com
This press release is issued and distributed by Winterberg Advisory GmbH on behalf of Healthcare Holding Schweiz AG.
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PARIS and LONDON, March 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — iM Global Partner (iMGP) has announced it will enter the European Active UCITS ETF market with the launch of a European Managed Futures UCITS ETF, the only one available on the market, the iMGP DBi Managed Futures Fund R USD ETF.
This Active UCITS ETF has been listed on the Euronext stock exchange in Paris and will soon be available on the London Stock Exchange listed in sterling.
The iMGP DBi Managed Futures Fund R USD ETF will mirror the world’s largest Managed Futures ETF, US-listed iMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF. Both are managed by iMGP’s partner, DBi, experts in hedge fund replication. The US-listed ETF trades under the Bloomberg ticker DBMF:US, while the European UCITS ETF share class is listed under DBMF:FP.
This alternative strategy aims to replicate the pre-fee performance of a representative basket of leading managed futures hedge funds and has attracted interest from a wide variety of investors.
The UCITS ETF expands our existing offering of the iMGP DBi Managed Futures Fund and gives clients the opportunity to access the managed futures space through their wrapper of choice.
The European Active UCITS ETF market has grown steadily in recent years, with these products considered the next generation of portfolio building blocks. iM Global Partner has an active pipeline and plans to bring additional active UCITS ETFs to market in the coming months. iM Global Partner has already built up significant experience in the actively managed ETF market via its US operations and has a number of other ETFs covering multiple Partners and asset classes.
iMGP Founder and CEO, Philippe Couvrecelle, said: “After several years of offering actively managed ETFs in the USA, we are delighted to bring this offering to European investors. Our ability to respond to market opportunities demonstrates our commitment to providing innovative, cutting-edge products for all our clients, wherever they are based.”
Andrew Beer, Co-Founder DBi, added: “Managed Futures ETFs are becoming a big thing in the US so we are proud to partner with iMGP to launch DBMF:FP in Europe. This launch highlights the success of our model. Managed futures are one of the few alternative strategies where there are indisputable diversification benefits.”
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CONTACT: [email protected]
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BEIJING, March 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — This is a report from China.org.cn:
The 2025 Global Digital Economy Conference (GDEC)’s International Cooperation Forum series was held in Barcelona, Spain, on March 4.
Themed “Integration, Innovation, Win-Win: Co-creating a New Blueprint for the China-Europe Digital Economy,” the Digital Economy Cooperation Forum was hosted by the GDEC Organizing Committee, and organized by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology (BMBEIT).
The event attracted more than 150 government representatives, corporate executives, industry association leaders from China, Spain and other European countries, and more than 60 overseas companies and institutions participated in it.
Jiang Guangzhi, the BMBEIT chief, delivered an opening speech in the form of digital human. In his address, Jiang said that the capital city of China, as a pioneer in the global digital economy, actively implements the national digital economy development strategy, and Barcelona, as the core hub of the European digital economy, has obvious advantages in science and technology industry clusters. The two cities have broad prospects for cooperation in the field of digital economy.
On the sidelines of the forum, BMBEIT also held a business and investment promotion activity called “Night of Beijing” in the Spanish city.
Relevant persons in charge of the BMBEIT promoted Beijing’s leading digital technology solutions in key digital economy industries such as autonomous driving, smart logistics, smart home, digital healthcare, and value-added telecommunications, combining core technologies, application scenarios, international promotion, and effectiveness cases.
Additionally, Lu Yiji, Chairman of the China-Europe Digital Association, Ignasi Castelló, Chief Purchasing Officer of FICOSA International Spain, Li Kang, Senior Vice President of China Telecom International, and Zhang Genxue, General Manager of Beijing Digital Economy Enterprises Overseas Innovation Service Base, each presented the current state and trends of digital economy development from different perspectives, providing valuable experiences and insights for enterprises and institutions.
The GDEC has been successfully held for four sessions since 2021. It is committed to promoting more comprehensive international cooperation in the digital economy industry and promoting the friendly and sustainable development of the global digital ecology. The 2025 GDEC will be held in Beijing in July.
Digital economy focus of China-EU cooperation: forum
http://www.china.org.cn/business/2025-03/06/content_117750616.htm
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/digital-economy-focus-of-china-eu-cooperation-forum-302402825.html
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