Heidrick & Struggles has published its 2026 Skills Index, a data-driven ranking of the fifteen most in-demand capabilities for senior executives. At the top of the list are financial controls, accounting and audit, followed by project management, financial planning, analysis and modelling, and then programme-management leadership and process optimisation.
Why finance now leads the talent race
The shift reflects companies coping with economic uncertainty, tighter capital markets and volatile markets, while also integrating rapid technological change driven by Artificial intelligence. Sunny Ackerman, global managing partner of on-demand talent at Heidrick & Struggles, explained that the external environment is a key factor behind finance skills topping the list.
"When companies are managing many competing priorities at once, financial leadership becomes critical," Ackerman said.
Businesses are looking for leaders who can tighten financial operations, improve visibility and instil confidence in the numbers that guide strategic decisions.
AI is no longer a standalone hiring category
Although the report lists "turning AI ambition into operating results" as a top business priority, no AI-specific skill appears among the top fifteen. Ackerman noted that this does not mean AI is being ignored; rather, it is being woven into every function.
"Organizations are no longer approaching AI as a standalone technology initiative," she said.
Instead of searching for pure AI specialists, firms want leaders who can connect data, technology and business operations. The index shows advanced analytics growth of 350 %, database architecture and data management up 150 %, and process optimisation rising 147 %.
Interim finance leadership on the rise
The index also highlights a broader move toward interim leadership, with CFO roles accounting for 51 % of all interim C-suite requests, the largest share by any function. Ackerman said this underscores the critical role finance leaders play during periods of uncertainty, providing visibility, discipline and strategic guidance.
What this means for European companies
Executives across Europe are likely to prioritise hiring finance professionals who can embed AI into core processes rather than treat it as a separate project. The trend suggests that future recruitment will focus on execution and stability, with finance leaders at the centre of digital transformation.
Companies that succeed will be those that blend robust financial governance with data-driven AI applications, ensuring that technology enhances, rather than disrupts, their operational foundations.