UK and India Lead Global Investment Sentiment as CFOs Embrace Renewed Risk Appetite

In a striking shift in sentiment, the latest Deloitte CFO Survey for Q2 2025 reveals a renewed sense of optimism among finance leaders, with the UK emerging as a joint top destination for investment alongside India.

This marks a significant vote of confidence in the UK’s economic resilience and global competitiveness, particularly in the face of ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

The survey, which captures the views of leading CFOs across major sectors, highlights four key trends:

1. The UK Reclaims Its Position as a Prime Investment Hub
For the first time in recent memory, the UK shares the top spot with India as the most attractive location for corporate investment. This is a powerful endorsement of the UK’s post-Brexit economic positioning and its ability to attract capital in a competitive global landscape.

2. Risk Appetite on the Rise
Seventeen percent of CFOs now believe it is a good time to take greater risks onto their balance sheets. This is a notable uptick from previous quarters and suggests a growing confidence in the macroeconomic environment and internal business fundamentals.

3. A Strategic Pivot Away from Defence
After a year of cautious, defensive posturing, UK corporates are beginning to shift gears. The data indicates a move towards more proactive, growth-oriented strategies—signalling a potential wave of innovation, expansion, and capital deployment in the months ahead.

4. Geopolitical Risk Still Looms Large
Despite the positive momentum, geopolitics remains the number one concern for CFOs. From global trade tensions to regional instability, finance leaders continue to monitor external threats that could disrupt supply chains, investment flows, and market access.

These findings underscore a pivotal moment for UK businesses. As risk appetite returns and investment sentiment strengthens, the challenge for CFOs will be to balance bold strategic moves with prudent risk management. 

At Irwin Mitchell, we are already seeing this shift play out in cross-border transactions, international expansion plans, and renewed interest in emerging markets.

Our next FDI report will examine these issues in depth and incorporate ‘resilience’ to its analysis of the attractiveness of 50 UK cities and towns in relation to FDI. The latest report can be downloaded here.