78% of London firms hit agility crisis as growth investment stalls - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com

"Four in Five mid-large London firms (78%) say they are struggling to adapt to today's volatile mix of rising costs, unpredictable policy shifts and rapid technological change. Nearly one in five (19%) admit they have already missed out on a major business opportunity in the past year because they were too slow to act. A further quarter 25% admit they're too focused on responding to threats, rather than spotting new opportunities."

"Financial pressures top the list of threats to business agility, with 42% of City firms citing cash flow and budgeting difficulties, and 37% highlight inadequate systems and analytics. Access to new funding is also undermining agility in businesses, where over 1 in 3 (36%) say a lack of government grants has slowed them down over the past two years, while others point to limited shareholder or director investment (35%), bank loans and credit facilities (30%), and venture capital funding (30%)."

"With the Autumn Budget on the horizon, businesses also point to gaps in government support as a blocker to agility: nearly two fifths (38%) say clearer rules and guidance from regulators would help them respond more effectively, a quarter (25%) say increased regulation presents the biggest threat to their business in the next 18 months, while 20% point rising trade protectionism, tariffs and trade disputes as being their biggest threat."

Four in five mid-large London firms (78%) are struggling to adapt to a volatile mix of rising costs, unpredictable policy shifts and rapid technological change. Nearly one in five (19%) missed a major business opportunity in the past year because they were too slow to act. A further 25% are too focused on responding to threats rather than spotting opportunities. Financial pressures rank highest, with 42% citing cash flow and budgeting difficulties and 37% citing inadequate systems and analytics. Funding constraints—lack of grants (36%), limited shareholder investment (35%), bank lending (30%) and venture capital (30%)—undermine agility. Many firms cite gaps in government guidance and regulatory uncertainty as additional barriers.

Read at London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com