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.

Reaching New Heights at Guoco...

After four years in the Group CFO role at one of Singapore’s most prominent real estate developers, GuocoLand Group, Andrew Chew talks to Jacob Ambrose Willson about stepping up from regional CFO to Group, managin...

The AI-led HR Revolution at V...

Victrex’s Group HR Director Jilly Atherton has brought together talent planning, leadership development and digital innovation to support a fast-changing global business, using AI where it adds real value without ...

Inside the Take-private at Pr...

After a whirlwind journey from the NYSE to private ownership, PropertyGuru CFO Joe Dische reflects on making the hard calls. In this interview with Criticaleye Senior Editor Bridgette Hall, he discusses public vs privat...