Deloitte’s latest survey of UK Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) shows that CFO expectations for operating costs have risen to the highest level in more than four years. A net 84% of finance leaders expect operating costs to increase over the next 12 months. Geopolitics has been rated as a top concern for CFOs in all but two quarters since the invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, concerns about UK productivity and competitiveness have risen to the highest level since 2014 and now ranks joint first with geopolitics on the CFO risk list. A net 47% of CFOs expect to see a fall in operating margins over the coming 12 months, the highest reading since Q2 2023. Finance chiefs continue to adopt a defensive strategy stance, with cost reduction and cash control their top two priorities for the next 12 months. To read Deloitte’s latest CFO Survey news release, go to https://www.deloitte.com/uk/en/about/press-room/deloitte-cfo-survey-uk-finance-leaders-report-rising-cost-pressures.html.