What We
Think About

France has long stood as one of the pillars of Europe’s economic strength, shaping the continent’s future through its industries, policies, and leadership. As the eurozone’s second-largest economy, France plays a central role in ensuring the stability, competitiveness, and resilience of Europe in a rapidly changing global landscape. Yet, challenges remain. France is well positioned to lead in areas such as green energy, mobility innovation, and digital transformation, particularly with state support for research and development. However, high public spending, labour market rigidity, and the need to remain attractive for global talent and investment require constant reform and agile leadership. Addressing these issues while maintaining social cohesion will be critical for sustaining France’s role as a European leader.

The United Kingdom may have stepped away from the European Union, but its role as one of Europe’s key economic engines remains undeniable. With its global financial reach, innovative industries, and cultural influence, the UK continues to shape economic currents across the continent. In 2025, the most successful UK leaders will be those who can balance the urgency of global expansion with the discipline of operational agility — adapting quickly to new markets, regulatory environments, and technologies, all while using the country’s gateway position to connect with the fastest-growing economies in the world.

The European Union’s ambitious sustainability agenda is reshaping how businesses approach the transition to sustainable packaging. The EU's Circular Economy Action Plan and Packaging Waste Regulation set targets for cutting waste, boosting recyclability, and promoting reuse. These measures require companies to improve packaging design by following eco-design principles and reducing life-cycle impacts. And meeting these requirements is not just a compliance issue—it’s a leadership challenge.

The EU must address post-pandemic economic recovery while ensuring sustainable growth. Inflation, supply chain disruptions, and trade uncertainties with traditionally dependable partners pose ongoing risks. Enhancing digital and green transitions, particularly in energy and industrial policies, is crucial for maintaining global competitiveness. Investing in digital technologies, AI, and cybersecurity will bolster Europe's economic strength globally. Supporting startups, research, and tech industries will enhance EU competitiveness. Business leaders must embrace emerging technologies en be self-confident, curious and agile!

Germany, long known as Europe’s industrial anchor, is undergoing a deep and complex economic transition. This is not a typical business cycle. It is a structural transformation —driven by demographic shifts, geopolitical tensions, technological disruption, energy realignment, and a changing political climate. This transition isn’t something leaders can delegate to their strategy departments. It requires a fundamental shift in how leadership is practiced across German companies. The rigid hierarchies and five-year plans of yesteryear are giving way to agile decision-making and experimentation. Leaders must empower teams, not just manage them. For decades, stability was Germany’s competitive advantage. Today, leaders must accept — and act within — uncertainty. Germany’s domestic market is not large enough to fuel long-term growth. Leaders must actively seek global opportunity — not just through exports, but via digital expansion, partnerships, and global talent strategies.

In the video on the left, our Chief People Officer, Volker Haber, explains how by strengthening social policies, improving labour markets, and addressing inequalities, the EU can enhance stability. From a business leadership perspective, agile and inclusive leadership is essential. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are crucial for fostering innovation and attracting top talent. Leaders must also address workforce transformation. The adoption of hybrid and remote work models demands new approaches to management and employee engagement.

The European healthcare landscape is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by regulatory changes, technological advancements, and shifting patient expectations. At Beaumont Group, our Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice is keenly attuned to these dynamics, enabling us to support organizations in navigating challenges and seizing emerging opportunities. Following is the second instalment in our continuing series regarding what this evolution means to business, leadership and the EU economies as whole. 

In the video at left our CFO, Stefano Fermani, reflects on the challenges and opportunities when the EU is taking the lead in the green economy.  Enhancing digital and green transitions, particularly in energy and industrial policies, is crucial for maintaining global competitiveness. Business leaders must embrace emerging technologies and successful leaders must have a mix of skills and expertise to bring technology and finance together.

In the video at left our CEO, Chris Clayton, discusses the evolving landscape leaders across the European Union face in 2025.  The EU confronts a complex and dynamic global environment today as does much of the rest of the world. These issues present both significant challenges and unique opportunities for organizations across the Union.

This April Isabelle Debrabandere had the good fortune to travel to Marrakech to participate in #72Hour Reload, a three-day retreat connecting women across life stages, cultures and backgrounds. It was a truly inspiring experience! She came away with a lot of new insights that will inform her life, both personal and professional, as well as a reminder of many things that we often forget as we navigate through our day-to-day lives.

The United Arab Emirates has undergone extraordinary economic and societal transformation over the past five decades — and this momentum continues. As a pioneer in digital innovation and future-ready strategy, the UAE is not merely participating in global conversations around artificial intelligence (AI); it is actively shaping them. But amid this transformation, a new and critical set of questions emerges: Where does the UAE stand today when it comes to leadership? And who are the individuals who will rise to navigate the next era of growth, innovation, and complexity?

The 2025 AESC (Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants) Global Summit on Leadership, held at the end of April in New York City, brought together top minds in executive talent, leadership, and business transformation. In the heart of Manhattan, the event pulsed with insights, innovation, and inspiration. This year’s event was more than a conference — it was a catalyst for conversations that will shape the future of leadership. For me, attending this year’s summit was more than a professional experience — it was a timely reminder that leadership, as we know it, is evolving faster than ever.

Interim management continues to be more and more important across Europe in recent years. However, in each country there are different approaches to this growing leadership solution that are in response to market size and goals of clients. The following article provides an overview of the status, market significance, areas of application and, last but not least, the very different pricing approaches in the individual countries.

Healthcare in the European Union (EU) has always been a cornerstone of its social and economic framework, ensuring access to quality care for its citizens. However, as we step into 2025, the sector is at a crossroads, with increasingly difficult challenges that demand innovative solutions and robust investment. From digital transformation to aging populations, strategic investments will play a pivotal role in reshaping healthcare in the EU. At Beaumont Group this past year we have kept a close on eye on the trends in the healthcare industry across the EU, as well as how private investment might impact productivity and innovation in the year ahead.

Last month, members of our team were present at IPEM, an essential event for private equity players. In a constantly evolving market, this event was an opportunity to discuss the trends that have marked 2024 and those that will shape 2025.

Greece has long been a focal point in discussions about economic crises within the European Union (EU) since the economic downturn in 2008/2009. As one of the so-called "PIGS" countries — a term used to describe Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Spain. This acronym gained prominence during the Eurozone debt crisis in the late 2000s, symbolizing countries that faced severe economic headwinds. While Greece's economy has shown signs of recovery in recent years, it continues to face structural challenges. With its rich cultural heritage and strategic location, Greece holds a unique position within the EU. As a developed economy, Greece is characterized by a mix of services, tourism, shipping, and agriculture. While strides forward have been achieved the economic challenges of the past decade, significant strengths and persistent weaknesses continue to shape its economic landscape.

In this video our CEO, Chris Clayton, shares his insights on where the executive search industry has been in 2024 and where it is going in 2025. (part 2)

In this video our CEO, Chris Clayton, shares his insights on where the executive search industry has been in 2024 and where it is going in 2025. (part1)

Japan's economic journey has seen rapid post-war growth, followed by decades of stagnation due to asset bubbles, demographic issues, and structural inefficiencies. Government reforms, including monetary easing and deregulation, have spurred a resurgence driven by innovation in sectors like robotics, biotechnology, and renewable energy. The recent elimination of floppy disk regulations symbolizes this modernization. While Japan is reclaiming global leadership, growth remains uneven. Strong leadership is crucial for addressing domestic challenges like an aging population and global issues such as climate change and trade. Japan’s future success depends on balancing tradition with innovation and embracing transformative practices to drive sustainable growth.

Over the past decade, Portugal has undergone a remarkable economic transformation. After facing a severe financial crisis in the early 2010s, the country has bounced back with a steady surge in economic growth, thanks to a combination of strategic reforms, European Union (EU) investment, and an influx of innovation. Today, Portugal is considered one of the rising stars in Europe’s economic landscape.

Interim managers are an interesting option for companies because they offer a flexible, cost-efficient (not cheap!) and highly qualified solution for temporary management tasks. They come to the company without lengthy recruitment processes, deliver fast and measurable results, bring fresh perspectives and extensive experience with them – and are not entangled in internal politics or bureaucratic hurdles. This makes them particularly valuable in times of change, restructuring or specialised projects. And can also - at least in the short term - be a supplement or alternative to the usually complex recruitment processes.

AI is everywhere! Everyone is talking about what it means. It is all over the news. Businesses are investing heavily in AI. Governments are under pressure to pass legislation to regulate AI. The promise of AI and its impact on business and indeed in our daily lives is the main event today. Some fear the end of humanity as a result of people teaching computers to learn! Others simply believe it is an amazing tool that will vastly improve our lives. So, what does AI mean for business and people’s lives today? If you watch global stock markets recently it seems that the answer is really one giant question mark. The markets have gone from exuberance to caution in just a few short months. But surely that will change again tomorrow! For executive search all our peers in the industry are weighing in as well. At Beaumont we believe the answer is one big question mark similar to the current market uncertainty.

This issue of Dynamic Dialogues continues our recent discussion with Christina Bösenberg, Executive Vice President and Head of Workforce and Organization, Capgemini, Berlin and Beaumont’s Managing Partner, Germany, Volker Haber. We sat down with Christina and Volker earlier this summer where we discussed a range of issues surrounding implementation of effective and successful transformation programmes as well the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in the commercial world.

Following in Beaumont Group’s third instalment in our series focusing on the growth of the PIGS economies of Europe. This instalment takes a brief look at the growth, opportunities and challenges of Spain’s economy, as well as the challenges facing leaders across the business landscape. Spain, like many of the EU economies — indeed many of the global economies, finds itself at a pivotal juncture as we approach the end of 2024. While there are numerous opportunities to bolster economic growth in Spain, the country also faces significant challenges that must be addressed to ensure long-term prosperity. Let’s take a look at the current challenges.

This is the second instalment in a series focused on the rise of the Southern European economies following years of stagnation and contraction. The economies of Southern Europe, not very flatteringly called the “PIGS”, includes Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Spain. Recently these countries have regularly appeared in discussions about the health of the economies in the European Union. Especially in relation to economies of the PIGS and these countries' financial struggles during the Eurozone crisis. However, it's important today to update the narrative and focus on how investments, both domestic and European, are now driving significant growth in these nations. In this instalment of Beaumont Group’s series — Southern Europe vs. Northern Europe — we will focus on the Italian growth journey.

In this inaugural issue of Dynamic Dialogues, we sat down with Christina Bösenberg of BCG Brighthouse in Berlin and our own Volker Haber of Beaumont Germany — to discuss the issues, opportunities and on-going challenges organisations face in their implementation of effective and successful transformation programmes. This conversation covered a lot of ground and as a result this will be the first instalment of a two-part discussion.

In recent years, a notable transformation has been taking place in the economic landscape of Europe. Contrary to historical trends, Southern European economies are beginning to outpace their Northern counterparts, marking a significant shift in the continent's economic dynamics. This phenomenon has sparked debates among economists, policymakers and commercial leadership, prompting a closer examination of the underlying factors driving this unexpected reversal.

Leaders are taking a break from their high demand positions in the financial sector across Europe, and there are some very interesting issues and concerns this has created in the sector across the region.

In the ever-evolving business landscape, leadership is the beacon guiding organisations through storms and calms alike. However, recent market challenges have spurred a surprising trend: the departure of seasoned leaders from the workforce. This exodus raises crucial questions about the resilience of businesses and the strategies needed to navigate these turbulent times.

In Europe interim management firms have long played a vital role in providing organizations with temporary leadership solutions during times of transition or crisis. However, as the business landscape becomes increasingly complex and dynamic, the role interim management firms play needs to, and is, undergoing a profound transformation.

McKinsey has undertaken significant research the last several years on each of the aspects of diversity, equity and inclusion and the business case for implementing successful recruitment and team development programs. In 2020, they published an exhaustive report that concluded

Today big data, analytics, risk management and security are all top-of-mind for business leaders. Enter artificial intelligence!

Beaumont Group debuts an evolved brand, including logo and website, that captures the firm’s commitment to clients and talent on a journey that defines all of our futures

The video at left is an introduction to Beaumont Group’s DE&I Ambassador. In partnership with Hein Beaumont is on a journey with clients and leadership talent to ensure all voices are not just heard, but engaged and championed across client organizations. We are so passionate about the strategic imperative that a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion represents that we work with Hein on our own internal approaches to ensure every voice is heard and engaged