Press Release
The findings of the 15th Annual PwC Cyprus CEO Survey, in which 77 business leaders from Cyprus participated this year, provide valuable insights into the challenges and risks shaping the business environment.
It is important to note that the views captured in this survey reflect the sentiment of CEOs prior to the outbreak of the war in Iran, offering a clear picture of business concerns before the latest geopolitical developments.
For CEOs in Cyprus, the top concern was the availability of key skills, with 43% viewing this as a threat over the coming year. Geopolitical conflicts (30%), technological disruption (22%) and cyber risks (21%) follow, differing from Eurozone and global CEOs, who place cyber risks and macroeconomic volatility as the top risks.
At the same time, the ability to attract high quality technical AI talent also emerges as a critical challenge for organisations in Cyprus. The survey findings indicate that 45% of CEOs believe that their organisation can not attract high-quality, technical AI talent, while . CEOs globally (42%) and in the Eurozone (28%), agree that their company can attract them, highlighting a widening talent gap. The findings underline the increasing competition for skilled professionals and reinforce the need for targeted investment in talent development, upskilling and employer positioning, as organisations seek to build the capabilities required to fully leverage Artificial Intelligence.
Trust-related risks are also emerging as a growing concern for businesses. CEOs in Cyprus report that their organisations experienced trust concerns to a large or very large extent over the past year. These concerns relate primarily to increased scrutiny of leadership decisions (13%), greater demands for transparency (10%), and issues around AI safety and responsible AI (9%). In comparison, CEOs in the Eurozone (14%) and globally (16%) most frequently cite concerns around data use and privacy, highlighting differing trust dynamics across markets.
As organisations navigate geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological change, the year ahead offers a pivotal moment for CEOs to sharpen focus, embrace responsible innovation, and redefine their value‑creation priorities for sustainable growth.
Commenting on the findings, Philippos Soseilos, CEO of PwC Cyprus, stated:
“Today’s business environment is defined by constant change and increasing complexity. The fact that CEOs in Cyprus identify skills, technology and geopolitical developments as their key concerns reflects the reality that transformation is no longer optional, it is a necessity. What is particularly important is that these insights were captured before the latest geopolitical developments, which suggests that these challenges are structural rather than temporary. Given the current conditions of full employment, solutions for addressing the skills shortages need systemic thinking and strategic actions. Organisations that invest in people, embrace innovation and strengthen their resilience will be best positioned to navigate uncertainty and create sustainable value in the long term.”
To view the survey results, click HERE.
