CFO Research Results 2025

This research, conducted at our CFO Retreat, subtitled New Pathways to Growth, provides a fascinating insight into the challenges and priorities for CFOs this year.

Key findings from Criticaleye's CFO Research:

Improved business performance is the top priority for CFOs
59% of CFOs said Boardroom debate around strategy needs to improve
63% of CFOs are concerned about their organisation’s current capital structure
Pressure to provide returns to shareholders is the top reason execs become focused on short-term goals
71% expect to conduct M&A in the next 12 months
Shareholders and investors are exerting pressure on CFOs to deliver the growth story

In a recent Inspiring Leaders Podcast, we spoke to Helen Miles, Group CFO for FTSE100 company Severn Trent, one of Britain's largest water companies, about her route to the CFO role, key responsibilities and what it means to take on such a senior role at Severn Trent. Click here to listen to this podcast.

DOWNLOAD INSIGHT

Related Insights

Read, watch & listen to some of the latest thought leadership from our Community.

The Appreciation Index

Having a highly skilled and collectively driven workforce has become a huge pillar of organisational success in today’s competitive business landscape. This report by Criticaleye Partner Reward Gateway emphas...

AlixPartners Disruption Index...

Criticaleye lead Partner AlixPartners' latest annual Disruption Index exposes a turbulent world in 2025, where geopolitical tensions, supply chain hurdles and rapid technology shifts continue to drive business disru...

Aligning the Path Forward: Ho...

When HR and business priorities are out of sync, even the best strategies can fall short in execution, leading to missed opportunities and diluted impact. This report, created by 3Sixty Insights in collaboration with Cr...