Ian Stewart

The majority of CFOs experienced labour shortages over the past three months with three-quarters reporting some, severe or significant recruitment difficulties. Almost the same proportion (73%) expect similar levels of difficulties in one year’s time.

Meanwhile, over the last three months, almost six in ten CFOs (59%) report that their businesses have experienced some, significant or severe supply chain disruption, with just over a quarter saying that this was significant or severe.

Conducted between 20 September and 4 October 2021, Deloitte’s latest quarterly CFO Survey captured sentiment amongst the UK’s largest businesses. The latest survey saw 92 CFOs participate, including CFOs of 18 FTSE 100 and 32 FTSE 250 companies. The combined market value of the 60 UK-listed companies that participated is £471 billion, approximately 18% of the UK quoted equity market.

The slowdown in growth over the third quarter has affected CFOs’ expectations of demand. Around four in ten CFOs (41%) report that demand for their own businesses’ products and services have already returned to pre-pandemic levels. The remaining have pushed back their expectations for the recovery of demand, with 52% now expecting demand to reach pre-pandemic levels in 2022 or later, up from 43% in the second quarter.

CFO expectations for a rise in operating costs have reached a record high, with the majority of respondents expecting a margin squeeze over the next 12 months.

The report also found that CFOs see inflation running higher for longer, with 54% expecting it to exceed 2.5% in two years’ time, a marked rise from 32% in Q2.

CFOs have also revised their interest rate expectations, with the majority (52%) expecting the Bank of England’s base rate to be 0.5% or higher in a year’s time.

Despite this, finance leaders continue to focus on growth, with introducing new products or services and expanding into new markets remaining their top balance sheet priority. CFOs are placing greater emphasis on increasing capital expenditure now than at any time in the 14-year history of the survey, with 29% rating it as a strong priority.

Ian Stewart, chief economist at Deloitte, said: “With growth slowing over the third quarter, CFOs are navigating their businesses through a more uncertain environment. It is encouraging that, despite expectations of persistent labour and supply shortages, they remain focused on capex and growth.

“The post-financial-crisis period was characterised by corporate caution, with cost control and cash conservation being CFOs’ primary response to economic shocks. Today, amid excess demand, and with the pandemic, the energy transition and Brexit driving change, corporates are focusing on investment, particularly in new technology.”

CFOs rate labour shortages, the pandemic, climate change and higher inflation among the top risks facing their businesses.

They also see the climate transition as fundamentally reshaping the business environment. More than two-thirds expect significant or wholesale change in their own business model and operations over the next 10 years as a result of the move to net zero emissions.

Richard Houston, senior partner and CEO of Deloitte, commented: “CFOs are tackling the double whammy of labour market shortages and supply chain disruption. But they remain confident with a strong appetite for growth and investment in new markets, products and services.

“Alongside the persisting impact of the pandemic, climate change remains firmly rooted as a key risk. As businesses set their sights on the transition to net-zero, finance leaders are focusing on ways to ensure reducing carbon emissions is fully embedded into their corporate strategy.”