Business Confidence Report 2025 | Your strategic compass for H2

Despite mounting economic headwinds and a barrage of uncertainty both domestically and globally, 50% of finance, tech and legal professionals expect their company’s performance to improve, according to our 2025 Business Confidence Report.

Established in 2010, our annual report contains valuable insights from 1,800+ finance and tech business professionals. We work closely with key recruitment consultants and clients to provide the latest in market trends and salary benchmarking across all its specialist sectors across its UK, Ireland and Europe.

While there’s optimism, it comes against a backdrop of fewer than 5% of our respondent’s expressing confidence in the UK and Ireland’s wider economic prospects, This juxtaposition highlights the resilience and adaptability of UK firms, many of which are evidently determined to navigate their own course despite turbulent macroeconomic conditions.

The confidence gap also suggests that businesses are insulating their operations from broader market pessimism. Economic uncertainty remains the dominant concern, with more than 40% citing it as their primary worry. This unease is fuelled by a volatile fiscal environment, driven in part by rising operational costs such as the increase in employer National Insurance contributions and a higher National Living Wage. These measures, though designed to support workers, are stretching payroll budgets and complicating strategic planning for many employers.

The rising cost of living and stubbornly high inflation are also weighing heavily, with over 30% of respondents highlighting them as key inhibitors to business assurance. These pressures are not only squeezing consumer spending but are also translating into tighter margins and increased supplier costs. Adding to the strain are elevated interest rates and borrowing costs, which continue to impact access to affordable finance, particularly for growth-focused SMEs.

On the international front, the revival of trade protectionism is sending ripples throughout the UK. The introduction of increased tariffs under US President Donald Trump is raising fresh concerns for exporters and importers alike, even with the recent deal brokered between the US and UK to slash tariffs across a number of goods. Combined with geopolitical instability and ongoing global conflict, these issues are further destabilising the outlook for internationally exposed businesses.

The findings from our 15th annual Salary and Market Trends Report paint a nuanced picture. There is a genuine belief among many businesses in their ability to outperform 2024, yet that belief exists alongside very real fears about the broader economic environment. This suggests that while confidence in government policy and economic stewardship may be low, business leaders are focusing on what they can control: operational resilience, selective growth, and strategic hiring.