Nine in ten business leaders responding to a Vistage poll in Glasgow said the current business environment had negatively affected their ability to invest, hire or grow.
The findings come from a live Slido poll of 50 Scottish SME CEOs, managing directors and senior executives at the Vistage Leadership Forum in September 2026. They provide a snapshot of those attending the event, rather than a representative estimate for all Scottish businesses.
Employment costs in focus
Half of respondents identified income generation as their single biggest challenge over the next six months. Some 67% said recent government policy had added significant pressure to their operations, while 6% said they had been forced to scale back planned growth initiatives.
Asked what Downing Street could change, 62% identified reducing employment costs, including National Insurance and wages. A further 22% called for simpler tax and regulation.
“Caught between revenue targets, rising costs and unfavourable government policy, the pressure facing local business leaders is acute.”
Emma van Rooyen, managing director, Vistage UK and Ireland
The personal impact on leaders
The poll also found that 48% experienced high stress levels regularly, with another 14% reporting significant stress almost constantly. Some 53% said work-related stress had significantly or moderately affected their health or personal relationships over the previous six months.
When testing sensitive decisions, 49% said they turned to external peer networks, 33% to their internal leadership teams and 16% to family or friends.
Van Rooyen said strategic decisions in a difficult economic environment should not be made in isolation, highlighting the role of peer support.
What it means for recruiters
The findings underline the value of discussing business priorities and affordability early in hiring conversations with SME clients. The poll suggests recruitment plans may be considered alongside investment constraints and wider pressure on business leaders.
Source: Vistage Leadership Forum live poll, Glasgow, September 2026; 50 respondents. Percentages are as reported by Vistage. Graphic: Onrec, based on the supplied research.
