Editorial & Advertiser disclosure

Global Banking & Finance Review® is an online platform offering news, analysis, and opinion on the latest trends, developments, and innovations in the banking and finance industry worldwide. The platform covers a diverse range of topics, including banking, insurance, investment, wealth management, fintech, and regulatory issues. The website publishes news, press releases, opinion and advertorials on various financial organizations, products and services which are commissioned from various Companies, Organizations, PR agencies, Bloggers etc. These commissioned articles are commercial in nature. This is not to be considered as financial advice and should be considered only for information purposes. It does not reflect the views or opinion of our website and is not to be considered an endorsement or a recommendation. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or applicability of any information provided with respect to your individual or personal circumstances. Please seek Professional advice from a qualified professional before making any financial decisions. We link to various third-party websites, affiliate sales networks, and to our advertising partners websites. When you view or click on certain links available on our articles, our partners may compensate us for displaying the content to you or make a purchase or fill a form. This will not incur any additional charges to you. To make things simpler for you to identity or distinguish advertised or sponsored articles or links, you may consider all articles or links hosted on our site as a commercial article placement. We will not be responsible for any loss you may suffer as a result of any omission or inaccuracy on the website.

Home > Business > UK businesses preparing for software skills shortfall following Brexit

UK businesses preparing for software skills shortfall following Brexit

Published by Gbaf News

Posted on September 5, 2018

5 min read

Last updated: January 21, 2026

Lawmaker Kim Leadbeater discusses UK's assisted dying law changes - Global Banking & Finance Review — Image of Kim Leadbeater addressing the media about proposed changes to the UK's assisted dying law, emphasizing the removal of High Court judge sign-off to enhance the legislative process.

Companies recognise continuous innovation is key for success

Two thirds of IT decision-makers think UK in danger of losing vital software developer talent
77% of CIOs plan for staff outside UK to assist in development and deployment of software
93% of CIOs and 84% of IT decision-makers cite ability to develop their own software as key to responding to Brexit uncertainty

Research from Pivotal has found UK businesses anticipate software developer talent in Britain will decrease post-Brexit.

The study reveals two thirds (66%) of IT decision-makers believe the UK is in danger of losing vital software developer talent following the EU departure, with 59% of CIOs predicting lack of access to talent will hinder their organisation’s success.

With the CBI cutting the forecast for UK economic growth, partly over concerns surrounding Brexit’s impact, Pivotal’s study shows UK businesses believe they’ll be left fighting for personnel to help optimise operations. The majority of CIOs surveyed have plans to move a portion of software development overseas, potentially taking work away from skilled workers remaining in the UK and giving it to rival thriving tech hubs in Europe. In fact, over three quarters (77%) of CIOs plan to have staff outside the UK assist in the development and deployment of software post-Brexit – indicative of diminished confidence in the UK’s ability to succeed as a digital skills hub after a formal split from the EU.

Acknowledging the importance of software development capabilities today, 93% of CIOs and 84% of IT decision makers cite their ability to develop software as essential for equipping their organisation to respond to Brexit. Recognising continuous innovation is necessary to succeed in business, 44% of CIOs stated they’ve invested more in software since the vote to leave to help optimise operations and innovate.

“With software innovation considered such a key ingredient to prosperity post-Brexit, the notion that operations will be moved overseas is concerning,” comments Robbie Clutton, Head of Pivotal Labs, EMEA. “Following the UK’s decision to leave the EU, companies can choose to either shape themselves or be shaped by the circumstances. Organisations can pick the route of innovation over submitting to the status quo, but it requires technology, culture and the right people working together in ways that foster agility and create business value.”

James Governor, Analyst at RedMonk said: “Brexit will be the biggest systemic shock to British business in more than 70 years. The scale of change will require an unprecedented investment in IT, with in-house application development becoming more important than ever to deal with complexity.”

Companies recognise continuous innovation is key for success

Two thirds of IT decision-makers think UK in danger of losing vital software developer talent
77% of CIOs plan for staff outside UK to assist in development and deployment of software
93% of CIOs and 84% of IT decision-makers cite ability to develop their own software as key to responding to Brexit uncertainty

Research from Pivotal has found UK businesses anticipate software developer talent in Britain will decrease post-Brexit.

The study reveals two thirds (66%) of IT decision-makers believe the UK is in danger of losing vital software developer talent following the EU departure, with 59% of CIOs predicting lack of access to talent will hinder their organisation’s success.

With the CBI cutting the forecast for UK economic growth, partly over concerns surrounding Brexit’s impact, Pivotal’s study shows UK businesses believe they’ll be left fighting for personnel to help optimise operations. The majority of CIOs surveyed have plans to move a portion of software development overseas, potentially taking work away from skilled workers remaining in the UK and giving it to rival thriving tech hubs in Europe. In fact, over three quarters (77%) of CIOs plan to have staff outside the UK assist in the development and deployment of software post-Brexit – indicative of diminished confidence in the UK’s ability to succeed as a digital skills hub after a formal split from the EU.

Acknowledging the importance of software development capabilities today, 93% of CIOs and 84% of IT decision makers cite their ability to develop software as essential for equipping their organisation to respond to Brexit. Recognising continuous innovation is necessary to succeed in business, 44% of CIOs stated they’ve invested more in software since the vote to leave to help optimise operations and innovate.

“With software innovation considered such a key ingredient to prosperity post-Brexit, the notion that operations will be moved overseas is concerning,” comments Robbie Clutton, Head of Pivotal Labs, EMEA. “Following the UK’s decision to leave the EU, companies can choose to either shape themselves or be shaped by the circumstances. Organisations can pick the route of innovation over submitting to the status quo, but it requires technology, culture and the right people working together in ways that foster agility and create business value.”

James Governor, Analyst at RedMonk said: “Brexit will be the biggest systemic shock to British business in more than 70 years. The scale of change will require an unprecedented investment in IT, with in-house application development becoming more important than ever to deal with complexity.”