The 2026 British Business Survey

Bridging the divide of HR, finance and technology with exclusive research in partnership with the Telegraph Media Group

Why 73% of leaders prioritise agility over long-term planning

As agility becomes the ultimate corporate currency, UK organisations are discovering a critical internal fault line – The Great Divide – between the departments that should be most aligned: HR, finance and technology.

Drawing on insights from over 1,000 business decision-makers, this essential research report explores the root cause of that misalignment and how the changemakers of 2026 are redefining what success looks like in leadership, talent, technology and beyond.

A laptop showing the 2026 British Business Survey report, surrounded by a pink background with colourful icons.

Bridging the divide of the British boardroom

Forging strategic symmetry in the age of disruption

Our research has revealed a seismic shift in priorities. 73% of leaders now value agility over long-term planning, and the typical strategic horizon has shrunk to just 2.08 years. Yet as organisations race to digitise and up-skill, friction in people strategy, fiscal governance and technological capability is threatening progress.

Methodology

In partnership with the Telegraph Media Group, we surveyed over 1,000 UK business decision-makers across a cross-section of industries, from FTSE companies to emerging enterprises. We've collected the perspectives of C-suite executives, department heads, division managers and senior leaders to explore the friction points where strategy meets reality and, more importantly, how they are facing those challenges.

Discover data-driven insights into your most pressing challenges

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The three existential signals

The death of rigidity

Strategy is now a real-time responsive discipline: 73% of business leaders now prioritise agility and adaptability over traditional five-year planning.

The skills countdown

70% admit that they must re-skill over half of their workforce by 2035. We are now facing a deficit that cannot be recruited out of; it must be built from within.

The accountability mandate

Purpose has transitioned from a PR asset to a core risk-management imperative. 73% demand companies make measurable commitments to ethical and social accountability.

The modern business landscape requires agility to become a permanent feature of any organisation. Businesses are expected to transform, innovate and adapt at speed, but as technology teams forge ahead, HR, finance and payroll leaders are left to align workforce management, data and governance at the same pace.

Anton Roe

Chief Executive Officer, MHR

Download the exclusive research report

Our latest survey, conducted in partnership with the Telegraph Media Group among over 1,000 UK business decision-makers, has been designed to uncover the strategic and operational challenges facing leaders in 2026.

You’ll discover:

The central conflict between HR, finance and technology teams defining modern UK businesses
How changemakers are starting to bridge the gap with innovations in learning, talent, leadership and more
The roadmap for organisations building the foundations of true digital maturity