Overview

Europe’s leaders are heading into 2027 with plenty to worry about. Geopolitical tension, shifting regulation, cyber threats and a fast-moving AI market all compete for attention.

Yet the picture emerging from this research is not one of organisations standing still. Budgets are moving, teams are changing shape, and most organisations are actively reworking how they operate.

This report draws on Aurora Live’s 2027 Executive Outlook survey, built around the themes of the Aurora Live Executive Days taking place across nine events in our main European markets in November 2026. Senior leaders from IT, operations, digital, cybersecurity, data, finance and general management shared where their organisations are heading: what they will prioritise, where they will invest, how they are responding to uncertainty and what stands in the way of execution.

Where possible, we compare this year’s results with our survey from December 2025, which asked leaders about their plans for 2026. That comparison shows how priorities and investment plans have shifted over twelve months. The comparison supports the story rather than leading it, and the focus throughout is on 2027.

This is the first of two reports. This one looks at strategy, investment, uncertainty and execution, with a dedicated section on industrial operations. The second report explores AI adoption, value and risk, and the leadership capabilities organisations need as AI takes on a bigger role.