FutureScape 2025: What lies ahead for business and leadership

Global overview: Insights into 2025

Steve McKinney, President, Kestria South Korea: The year 2025 marks a period of profound transformation. We stand at the cusp of a new era, where technological advancements, shifting economies, and evolving societal expectations converge in a dynamic, often unpredictable world.

Artificial intelligence is seamlessly integrating into daily life, automating tasks, revolutionizing industries, and reshaping work. While AI promises efficiency, personalization, and breakthroughs in medicine and science, it also raises concerns about job displacement, requiring thoughtful workforce development and social safety nets.

The global economy faces growing complexities. Once-robust supply chains remain vulnerable to disruptions, and while emerging economies bring promise, they also pose challenges like inequality and environmental sustainability.

Geopolitical tensions add further uncertainty. In this interconnected world, diplomacy and cooperation are crucial to fostering stability and equity.

Meanwhile, societal expectations are shifting rapidly. Consumers demand ethical, sustainable business practices, and individuals seek purpose-driven careers that align with their values.

Navigating this evolving landscape requires adaptability, resilience, and a commitment to lifelong learning. This is not a time for fear but for innovation, collaboration, and a renewed focus on human values. By embracing change and fostering empathy, we can create a more prosperous and equitable future for all. 

This dynamic landscape presents unique challenges and opportunities across different regions. Let's delve deeper into the APAC region, where Raj Kumar Paramanathan, Founding Partner of Kestria Malaysia, provides valuable insights.

Regional perspectives: Trends across the globe

Players in sectors such as semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and steel will be operating under a veil of uncertainty, with the imminent tariff threats by the Trump administration. Governments will throw in support to keep these industries afloat, diversify economic partnerships and further solidify regional trade agreements, which in the past had their own challenges as any collective agreements were based on consensus decision-making of all the member countries, consequently delaying implementation of policies.

Digital adoption in the region has risen dramatically with rapid surge in digital infrastructure investments. Adoption of 5G, Internet of Things and AI justified the need for massive investment, and countries like Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore continue to benefit from proliferation of billion-dollar data centres by global giants such as Google, Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon and others. 60% of APAC organisations are projected to implement AI language models tailored for local markets, necessitating high bandwidth and low latency connectivity solutions.

Thomas Muhmenthaler, Managing Partner, Kestria Switzerland commented on his observations of European trends. In 2025, Europe faces economic and political uncertainty, creating challenges and opportunities for executive search. Germany and France struggle with stagnation, while the UK remains isolated post-Brexit. Growth in Central and Eastern Europe has stalled due to reliance on Western markets. Political instability, inconsistent policies and US tariffs add to the challenges.

Europe’s reliance on external tech and industry leaders is growing. US trade policies hit exporters, while China dominates the EV market with cost-competitive models. European carmakers face high costs and slow tech adaptation, while AI and semiconductor dependence on the US and Asia further drives the need for executives focused on innovation and supply chain resilience. 

Open-source AI models like DeepSeek offer Europe a chance to reduce reliance on proprietary systems. They enable cost-effective, energy-efficient innovation, benefiting SMEs and start-ups. Additionally, they enhance data sovereignty, ensuring GDPR compliance and tailored solutions. Despite positioning itself as a leader in sustainability and data protection, the EU’s regulatory-heavy approach demands executives who can balance compliance with innovation to stay competitive.

2025 is pivotal for Europe: invest in open-source tech, digital sovereignty, and future industries or risk decline. Success hinges on political stability and strategy - without it, investment stalls. Bold leadership is key to balancing tech independence, growth, and autonomy.

Economically, the region exhibits uneven recovery patterns. While the U.S. has seen notable productivity gains attributed to technological investments and favorable macroeconomic policies, Canada faces distinct challenges, including supply chain vulnerabilities and the imperative to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability. 

Policy approaches across North America vary - with the U.S. implementing initiatives like the Good Jobs Challenge to bolster workforce development, while Canada focuses on comprehensive digital transformation strategies to enhance public services and economic resilience. 

These diverse strategies underscore the region's commitment to navigating the complexities of this transformative era.

Industry outlook: Sectors in focus

Having explored the global landscape, let's now delve deeper into various industries by Celine Chabee, Partner, Kestria Canada & USA who will provide valuable insights into the various business sectors. By 2025, the Life Sciences industry will undergo major shifts driven by AI advancements, regulatory changes and renewed M&A activity. AI is expanding beyond drug discovery to enhance operations, boosting research efficiency and cutting costs.

Regulatory shifts, particularly in the U.S., could ease antitrust scrutiny, encouraging larger M&A deals. With strong growth and innovation on the horizon, 75% of C-suite executives surveyed by Deloitte express optimism for 2025. Investment is set to rebound, with companies targeting oncology and weight management acquisitions. A resurgence in venture capital and IPOs further supports this outlook.

Talent remains key, with demand rising for bioinformatics, digital health, and regulatory expertise. Companies are focusing on upskilling and adaptive leadership to stay ahead. Success will depend on integrating technology, navigating policy shifts, and developing a workforce ready for change.

Alternative proteins, climate-smart agriculture and precision farming will define the agribusiness landscape. Sustainability regulations and geopolitical risks are influencing supply chains, making risk management and technological adoption key priorities. Leadership in this sector will require expertise in food security, sustainability and global trade.

The technology sector remains at the forefront of AI, cybersecurity and digital transformation. As automation reshapes industries, companies must navigate regulatory scrutiny, data privacy concerns, and talent shortages in software development and AI. Future-ready leaders must drive continuous innovation and ethical tech adoption to stay ahead in this competitive landscape.

NGOs are evolving to address climate change, humanitarian crises and digital transformation. The demand for data-driven decision-making, cross-sector partnerships and funding diversification is rising. Leadership in this space requires a blend of strategic agility, impact measurement and community engagement to navigate an increasingly complex global landscape.

Now that we have some clarity by industries and sectors on 2025, let’s turn to the implications for leadership by hearing from Rohan Carr, Director, Kestria Australia and Celine Chabee, Partner, Kestria Canada & USA.

Implications for leadership: Building leaders for 2025

Celine Chabee, Partner, Kestria Canada & USA: By 2025, North American leaders must combine strategic foresight with technological fluency to manage digital transformation and workforce shifts. Executives must pivot quickly in response to economic and regulatory changes, while bridging technology, operations and human capital. Closing the skills gap will require a culture of continuous learning.

Beyond technical expertise, leadership will rely on inclusivity, sustainability and a global outlook. With increasing cross-border collaboration, cultural competency is key. Diverse teams will drive innovation and in Canada, balancing economic growth with sustainability will be critical. Leaders who embed ethical business practices and ESG principles into planning will build resilient, future-ready organizations.

Summary

The year ahead is not just about managing disruption - it’s about shaping the future. Business and leadership stand at a crossroads where adaptability, strategic foresight and purpose-driven innovation will separate those who thrive from those who fall behind.

Success in 2025 won’t come from merely reacting to change but from anticipating, shaping, and leading it. Agility, cultural intelligence and the ability to turn uncertainty into opportunity will define those at the forefront. The challenge is no longer predicting the future but building the capabilities to succeed in any future that unfolds.