Introduction
UK businesses are bracing for another challenging year in 2025, as revealed by new research from Pleo, a leading European business spend management platform. The study, which surveyed 3,250 finance leaders across Europe, highlights that the majority (56%) of UK businesses expect the coming year to be tougher than 2024. A concerning 37% of UK leaders also report lacking confidence in their current financial agility, further revealing that many are unprepared to navigate the anticipated economic difficulties. To address these issues, Pleo is expanding into the treasury space, launching a suite of cash management tools to provide businesses with greater financial visibility and control.
Industry Comments
Amit Kahana, Head of Credit, Treasury and Cash Management at Pleo, commented: “In recent years, the role of the finance team has rapidly evolved to meet the challenges of a complex economic climate. However, the tech in use hasn’t, and visibility over cash flow and finance has suffered. The time to change this is now.”
“The core of Pleo today is making the life of the finance function easier for our customers. Automation of manual workflows and processes, reconciliation and integrations with their other tools is at the core of what we do. Hence for us, stepping into treasury was an easy decision, especially as so many of our customers already use our cash management tools. We see how many areas in finance have progressed with great tools out there, but the treasury function is still behind, using spreadsheets and time consuming processes. New products have made this role even more complex so we see this as a great opportunity to solve this problem.”
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Why This News is Relevant to Current Industry Standards?
This research underscores a growing need for better financial visibility and agility in the UK’s economic landscape. With many businesses still relying on manual processes, the adoption of modern treasury management solutions like Pleo’s will help organizations address these inefficiencies. As finance teams are under increased pressure to make faster decisions, the rise of integrated treasury platforms is critical to ensuring businesses can stay ahead in a rapidly evolving economic environment. This aligns with broader industry trends prioritizing automation, financial intelligence, and streamlined operations to improve business resilience.
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FAQs
What does the research from Pleo reveal about UK businesses in 2025?
Pleo’s research indicates that 56% of UK businesses expect 2025 to be more challenging than 2024, reflecting the ongoing uncertainty in the economic environment. A significant 37% of UK finance leaders lack confidence in their company’s financial agility, revealing a preparedness gap. Additionally, 76% of UK finance leaders acknowledge the pressure to stress-test their business’s financial health and make quicker decisions. With a heavy reliance on manual treasury tasks, the need for improved financial visibility and automation is evident, prompting Pleo’s expansion into the treasury space to help businesses better manage their finances.
How does Pleo plan to help UK businesses in 2025?
Pleo is launching a comprehensive cash management solution in 2025, including a financial dashboard, multi-currency accounts, FX trades, and automation tools for cash management. These tools aim to enhance financial visibility and streamline processes for businesses. Pleo’s solution addresses the common pain points of manual treasury tasks, helping finance teams make faster, more informed decisions.
What challenges do UK finance leaders face according to the research?
UK finance leaders are facing increased pressure in 2025, with 76% reporting that financial decisions must be made faster than ever. Over half (51%) say manual treasury tasks prevent them from focusing on mission-critical work, leading to wasted time and inefficiency. With many businesses using multiple tools that lack integration, 37% of finance leaders are concerned about the lack of visibility needed to make informed financial decisions, underscoring the need for more advanced financial management solutions.
Conclusion
As UK businesses prepare for another tough year, the demand for better financial management tools has never been more urgent. Pleo’s new cash management suite offers a timely solution to help businesses improve financial visibility, reduce reliance on manual processes, and make quicker decisions in an unpredictable economy.
With a focus on automation and integrated treasury tools, Pleo is helping businesses move towards greater financial agility and control. As the role of finance teams continues to evolve, the need for streamlined, tech-enabled solutions is clear. Pleo’s expansion into the treasury space highlights the growing trend of businesses adopting advanced digital tools to stay competitive and navigate financial challenges with ease. The coming year presents an opportunity for businesses to adapt and equip themselves with the right technology to meet financial demands head-on.
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