2025 Survey Report
Top Insights from Corporate Affairs Professionals
up from 47 percent five years ago
Key Report Findings Include:
- Geopolitical risk remains the dominant concern for Corporate Affairs professionals.
Since 2020, geopolitical instability has consistently topped the risk agenda. Drivers include ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, rising East–West tensions, and renewed populism, including Donald Trump’s return to the presidency and new tariffs. This anxiety is especially acute in regions and sectors heavily impacted by global trade and regulation.
- Macroeconomic instability and regulatory uncertainty are rising in importance.
Political divisions over the role of business and the increased use of tariffs have contributed to macroeconomic volatility becoming the second most-cited risk. Regulatory pressures have also surged, especially in Europe, where standardisation and compliance expectations are tightening. These changes are reshaping the risk landscape across industries and geographies.
- AI and innovation remains the strongest short-term opportunity.
Corporate Affairs practitioners view emerging technologies, particularly AI, as essential for maintaining competitiveness, improving efficiency, and future-proofing operations, although functional usage is still basic and tactical. Sustainable growth strategies have also gained traction, rising in priority across all regions. Meanwhile, economic growth and upliftment has climbed significantly, showing that businesses still aim to drive impact despite global turbulence.
- ESG priorities are shifting under political pressure, especially in Western markets.
Climate change, diversity and inclusion, and governance still top the ESG agenda, but a split is emerging. Some companies are stepping back from public DEI commitments due to populist backlash, while others are doubling down. Political and regulatory shifts have elevated governance as a reputational risk, especially in Asia-Pacific and Latin America. Meanwhile, corporate advocacy on societal issues is in decline, particularly in North America.
- Corporate Affairs is refocusing on trust, stakeholder engagement, and reputation strategies.
In response to growing uncertainty and political polarisation, the function is returning to human-centred fundamentals like direct stakeholder engagement and proactive communication. Stakeholder mapping, prioritising, and building relationships are becoming central responsibilities. Corporate Affairs teams are increasingly collaborating with senior leaders, especially the CEO and Board, but continue to face challenges in clearly articulating their value to the broader business.
Read Previous Year’s Reports
- Oxford-GlobeScan Global Corporate Affairs Survey 2024
- Oxford-GlobeScan Global Corporate Affairs Survey 2023
- Oxford-GlobeScan Global Corporate Affairs Survey 2022
The annual Oxford-GlobeScan Corporate Affairs Survey of corporate affairs and corporate communications professionals explores key risks and challenges facing enterprises in coming years and shares internal perspectives on how to best engage with the world to build trust and strong reputations.
The program was founded in collaboration with the Corporate Affairs Academy at the world-renowned Säid Business School at Oxford University. It is designed to build the capacity of Corporate Affairs practitioners and assist the function in becoming future-fit.
This is the sixth annual Oxford-GlobeScan Global Corporate Affairs Survey Report which provides the latest overview of opinions, trends, and challenges through the lens of Corporate Affairs practitioners. This report captures the views and insights of 245 senior professionals who were surveyed between February and March 2025 on issues and themes of relevance to the function.
The aim of the Corporate Affairs Academy is to enable corporate affairs professionals to make a more strategic and valuable contribution to their business by providing an opportunity to connect with the latest academic research in the field and share experiences, ideas and best practice with expert faculty and a global peer group of Corporate Affairs Directors.
