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Robert Half research finds skills deficit in C-suite
Leadership skills deficit in the C-suite is leaving businesses fundamentally unprepared for what lies ahead over the next ten years amid growing uncertainty and market fluctuations, warns international recruitment firm Robert Half.
According to its study, ‘Towards the C-Suite 2035’, nearly 59% of UK C-suite respondents report an increase in worries about finding suitable leaders for the next ten years, with a further 79% and 62% respectively highlighting that digital expertise and workforce transformation will need to be key components of leadership teams.
“Executive leaders today face a complex and rapidly evolving set of challenges, shaped by technological disruption, global instability, workforce dynamics and increasing stakeholder expectations,” says Matt Weston, Senior Managing Director UK & Ireland, Robert Half.
“Transformation isn’t a buzzword anymore – it’s a job title. Chief Transformation Officers (CTROs), and transformation leads (VP/Director Technology and/or Talent Transformation) are now essential operators in the C-suite or the extended top leadership team, not consultants in the wings.”
Resilience tops the list of leadership qualities defining success, with 75% of executives expecting it to be in high demand, followed closely by innovative thinking (67%) and agility (61%). More than half (56%) also see change management as a critical skill in navigating the road ahead.
In response to these shifting priorities, new roles are emerging on the leadership horizon with 78% of respondents anticipating the rise in importance of Chief Technology Transformation Officers, while 57% expect Chief Talent Transformation Officers to play a key role in shaping the future of work by 2035. “Resilient and adaptable leadership will help to navigate complex social and political issues while maintaining credibility and trust,” continues Weston.
As organizations race toward a more automated future, Robert Half’s research cites that by 2035, 87% of leaders predict experience in artificial intelligence to be critical. But it’s not just deep technical understanding that’s in demand – the rise of low-code and no-code platforms means that broader teams will need to develop practical, hands-on AI skills. Reflecting this shift, 83% of executives expect the role of the Chief AI Officer to grow significantly in importance over the next decade, as businesses seek leaders who can bridge the gap between advanced technology and accessible innovation.
“In 2035 digital transformation will dictate commercial success. A leadership team which understands how to innovate, alongside a workforce which can deliver new ideas, will be strengthened by the strategic development of future talent. Seeds planted now will stand tall in 2035," comments Weston.