Skip to Content Facebook Feature Image

UK project-based businesses see AI as key to meeting ambitious 2025 targets, Deltek research finds

Business

UK project-based businesses see AI as key to meeting ambitious 2025 targets, Deltek research finds
Business

Business

UK project-based businesses see AI as key to meeting ambitious 2025 targets, Deltek research finds

2025-04-01 15:30 Last Updated At:15:45

  • Technology and automation seen as potential top drivers of profitability for UK project-based businesses
  • Digital transformation is being fast-tracked, with many professional services firms already achieving a level of digital maturity that they had not expected to reach until 2027
  • 76% of project-based UK businesses entered 2025 planning to expand their workforce

LONDON, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- New research released today from Deltek, the leading global provider of software and solutions for project-based businesses, finds the UK's project-based businesses started the year optimistic about how technology can help them reach their growth targets in 2025. Despite economic headwinds, firms are ambitious, with 83% looking to increase profit growth this year and 42% expecting to increase headcount significantly. In terms of predicted gross profit margins (GPM) this year, engineering firms started 2025 the most confident about GPM increases, with 60% predicting increases of 10% or more compared to 2024.

The research, conducted across UK-based architecture, engineering and consultancy firms, identifies technology and automation as the top potential drivers of attaining these goals. The top two priorities for firms are investing in new technology e.g. adopting AI (39%) and the effective implementation of new innovations e.g. AI (37%).

Consultancy firms are most likely to tie profitability to the successful implementation of AI, with 64% anticipating increased profits following successful AI implementation. However, architecture firms are leading the way in the focus of automation and robotic process automation (RPA), with over half (53%) of architecture firms placing it as imperative to the success of UK firms. Cybersecurity is also a high priority, with over a third (36%) of project-based firms now citing it as a top three priority for their business, compared to less than a quarter (23%) last year.

As a result of the focus on technology advancements, over half of UK project-based firms (56%) are now at a "Mature" or "Advanced" stage of their digital transformation development, up from less than a third (32%) in 2024. This indicates that firms are prioritising digital transformation and maturing more rapidly. In fact, compared to 2024 predictions on how fast they would achieve maturity in digital transformation, timelines have been brought forward two years with many professional services already achieving a level of digital maturity that they had not expected to reach until 2027. Again, Architecture firms are currently leading the way in digital transformation with nearly two-thirds (64%) at a mature or advanced stage of their journey.

The use of AI and automation are also pivotal this year in attaining key performance indicators (KPIs) for project-based businesses in the UK. Rising competition for talent (30%) and project complexity (28%) in 2025 are key pressures identified for project management in the next three years. However, 40% of firms are addressing this by prioritising the adoption of AI and automation for streamlining project processes. In 2025, confidence in tracking key project metrics (profitability, budget, and client satisfaction) has risen to 75% in 2025, up from 59% in 2024.

Neil Davidson, Group Vice President, Professional Services Sector at Deltek comments, "Professional services firms are already recognising the efficiency savings and growth opportunities provided by digital transformation. This year is a pivotal time for realising the benefits technology can bring, as firms still look to grow in 2025."

"It's promising to see that the shift in the use of technology is also underpinning greater  confidence in tracking project metrics – something we have not seen in our past Clarity reports. The strides professional services firms have made in implementing advancements in technology, ahead of schedule, are further improving their ability to manage the factors that contribute to attaining KPIs. Successful tracking is vital for providing insight into core business metrics, the optimisation of processes, and supporting productivity to help firms ensure they stay on-track to meet their goals."

As well as investing in technology, project-based UK businesses are also expanding their workforce, with 76% planning to increase headcount in 2025. This is a significant increase from last year, where just 58% of firms expected to expand their workforce. Engineering firms are the most ambitious in this area in terms of significant headcount increase, with 42% planning to igrow their talent pool by more than 10% this year (compared to the average 34% expecting the same level of growth across all professional services firms). However, organisations are conscious that a lack of upskilling investment (48%) and a lack of employee engagement (34%) are still detrimentally impacting their organisation. To address this and empower young professionals in 2025, firms are concentrating on promoting a culture of collaboration and innovation in the workplace (51%), encouraging continuous learning (49%), and providing access to advanced technologies (45%).

To download the full report, visit deltek.com/en-gb/clarity-report-emea.

Methodology

  • Based on an independent, self-completion online survey, conducted by 3Gem Media Group in January 2025, with 200 senior strategic decision-makers in UK Architecture, Engineering or Consulting firms.
  • To qualify, respondents had to be at a senior level including CEOs/Managing Directors (MDs), C-suite level directors, and heads of relevant departments such as finance, operations, delivery and projects, and work in firms of 20+ employees.
  • The sample consisted of 37% Architecture or A/E (architecture-led engineering), 26% Engineering (or engineering-led architecture) and 37% Consulting (management/market research) firms, and was made up of 6% small (20-50 employees), 29% medium (51-250 employees), 25% large (251 to 500 employees) and 40% very large (501+ employees) sizes of organisations.

Company Type:
This year's survey included architecture, engineering, and consulting firms. The term 'architecture and engineering' (A&E) refers to all architecture, engineering, and allied firms. The term 'consulting' refers to management consulting and market research companies. Throughout this report, the total sample results are referred to as professional services firms.

About Deltek
Deltek is the leading global provider of enterprise software and information solutions for project-based businesses. More than 30,000 organizations and millions of users in over 80 countries around the world rely on Deltek for superior levels of project intelligence, management and collaboration. Our industry-focused expertise powers project success by helping firms achieve performance that maximizes productivity and revenue. Learn more at www.deltek.com.

CONTACT: Deltek Media Relations Team, press@Deltek.com 

  • Technology and automation seen as potential top drivers of profitability for UK project-based businesses
  • Digital transformation is being fast-tracked, with many professional services firms already achieving a level of digital maturity that they had not expected to reach until 2027
  • 76% of project-based UK businesses entered 2025 planning to expand their workforce

LONDON, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- New research released today from Deltek, the leading global provider of software and solutions for project-based businesses, finds the UK's project-based businesses started the year optimistic about how technology can help them reach their growth targets in 2025. Despite economic headwinds, firms are ambitious, with 83% looking to increase profit growth this year and 42% expecting to increase headcount significantly. In terms of predicted gross profit margins (GPM) this year, engineering firms started 2025 the most confident about GPM increases, with 60% predicting increases of 10% or more compared to 2024.

The research, conducted across UK-based architecture, engineering and consultancy firms, identifies technology and automation as the top potential drivers of attaining these goals. The top two priorities for firms are investing in new technology e.g. adopting AI (39%) and the effective implementation of new innovations e.g. AI (37%).

Consultancy firms are most likely to tie profitability to the successful implementation of AI, with 64% anticipating increased profits following successful AI implementation. However, architecture firms are leading the way in the focus of automation and robotic process automation (RPA), with over half (53%) of architecture firms placing it as imperative to the success of UK firms. Cybersecurity is also a high priority, with over a third (36%) of project-based firms now citing it as a top three priority for their business, compared to less than a quarter (23%) last year.

As a result of the focus on technology advancements, over half of UK project-based firms (56%) are now at a "Mature" or "Advanced" stage of their digital transformation development, up from less than a third (32%) in 2024. This indicates that firms are prioritising digital transformation and maturing more rapidly. In fact, compared to 2024 predictions on how fast they would achieve maturity in digital transformation, timelines have been brought forward two years with many professional services already achieving a level of digital maturity that they had not expected to reach until 2027. Again, Architecture firms are currently leading the way in digital transformation with nearly two-thirds (64%) at a mature or advanced stage of their journey.

The use of AI and automation are also pivotal this year in attaining key performance indicators (KPIs) for project-based businesses in the UK. Rising competition for talent (30%) and project complexity (28%) in 2025 are key pressures identified for project management in the next three years. However, 40% of firms are addressing this by prioritising the adoption of AI and automation for streamlining project processes. In 2025, confidence in tracking key project metrics (profitability, budget, and client satisfaction) has risen to 75% in 2025, up from 59% in 2024.

Neil Davidson, Group Vice President, Professional Services Sector at Deltek comments, "Professional services firms are already recognising the efficiency savings and growth opportunities provided by digital transformation. This year is a pivotal time for realising the benefits technology can bring, as firms still look to grow in 2025."

"It's promising to see that the shift in the use of technology is also underpinning greater  confidence in tracking project metrics – something we have not seen in our past Clarity reports. The strides professional services firms have made in implementing advancements in technology, ahead of schedule, are further improving their ability to manage the factors that contribute to attaining KPIs. Successful tracking is vital for providing insight into core business metrics, the optimisation of processes, and supporting productivity to help firms ensure they stay on-track to meet their goals."

As well as investing in technology, project-based UK businesses are also expanding their workforce, with 76% planning to increase headcount in 2025. This is a significant increase from last year, where just 58% of firms expected to expand their workforce. Engineering firms are the most ambitious in this area in terms of significant headcount increase, with 42% planning to igrow their talent pool by more than 10% this year (compared to the average 34% expecting the same level of growth across all professional services firms). However, organisations are conscious that a lack of upskilling investment (48%) and a lack of employee engagement (34%) are still detrimentally impacting their organisation. To address this and empower young professionals in 2025, firms are concentrating on promoting a culture of collaboration and innovation in the workplace (51%), encouraging continuous learning (49%), and providing access to advanced technologies (45%).

To download the full report, visit deltek.com/en-gb/clarity-report-emea.

Methodology

  • Based on an independent, self-completion online survey, conducted by 3Gem Media Group in January 2025, with 200 senior strategic decision-makers in UK Architecture, Engineering or Consulting firms.
  • To qualify, respondents had to be at a senior level including CEOs/Managing Directors (MDs), C-suite level directors, and heads of relevant departments such as finance, operations, delivery and projects, and work in firms of 20+ employees.
  • The sample consisted of 37% Architecture or A/E (architecture-led engineering), 26% Engineering (or engineering-led architecture) and 37% Consulting (management/market research) firms, and was made up of 6% small (20-50 employees), 29% medium (51-250 employees), 25% large (251 to 500 employees) and 40% very large (501+ employees) sizes of organisations.

Company Type:
This year's survey included architecture, engineering, and consulting firms. The term 'architecture and engineering' (A&E) refers to all architecture, engineering, and allied firms. The term 'consulting' refers to management consulting and market research companies. Throughout this report, the total sample results are referred to as professional services firms.

About Deltek
Deltek is the leading global provider of enterprise software and information solutions for project-based businesses. More than 30,000 organizations and millions of users in over 80 countries around the world rely on Deltek for superior levels of project intelligence, management and collaboration. Our industry-focused expertise powers project success by helping firms achieve performance that maximizes productivity and revenue. Learn more at www.deltek.com.

CONTACT: Deltek Media Relations Team, press@Deltek.com 

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

UK project-based businesses see AI as key to meeting ambitious 2025 targets, Deltek research finds

UK project-based businesses see AI as key to meeting ambitious 2025 targets, Deltek research finds

DUBAI, UAE, Jan. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bybit, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is pleased to announce its New Year Edition Daily Treasure Hunt, an exclusive six-week rewards program powering traders to build early momentum heading into 2026.

The New Year special edition Bybit Daily Treasure Hunt comes with early registration and an extended timeline tiding users over from December 30, 2025 all the way to February 9, 2026. A series of highlights spans daily trading tasks to earn points, unlimited daily draws, and grand prizes including BTC, and Bybit VIP Trial Passes.

All Paths Lead to Rewards

To start earning points, eligible Bybit users may register for the event and pick a rewards path based on their trading styles and preferences: 

  • Building Daily Trading Momentum: Traders can earn points through completing daily tasks, starting with trades as small as 10 USDT, with extra rewards for consistency by achieving consecutive trading days.
  • Exploring Bybit for More Points: Engaging with Bybit's product ecosystem and platform features for extra points.
  • Alpha Quests: Embarking on limited-time alpha missions and complete special missions featuring new Bybit products for accelerated point accumulation.

Throughout a treasure-hunting season full of surprises for Bybit's versatile traders, the points earned will convert to tangible value through various reward mechanisms:

  • Unlimited Scratch Cards: 50 points per draw with no daily limits from a pool of 1,000,000 cards
  • Hot Token Rewards: Access to a curated New Year prize pool featuring trending tokens
  • Elite Rewards: High-value rewards including BTC, VIP Trial Passes, and Hot Token airdrops

Getting a headstart in 2026 stands to be both rewarding and fun for traders at Bybit. The special-edition Daily Treasure Hunt aspires to ring in a winning year for Bybit users as they explore the digital asset class and level up their trading skills.

Terms and conditions apply. For details on eligibility and potential restrictions, users may visit: [New Year Edition] Daily Treasure Hunt: Find your alpha

#Bybit / #CryptoArk / #IMakeIt  

About Bybit

Bybit is the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 80 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com
For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media

Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube

DUBAI, UAE, Jan. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bybit, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is pleased to announce its New Year Edition Daily Treasure Hunt, an exclusive six-week rewards program powering traders to build early momentum heading into 2026.

The New Year special edition Bybit Daily Treasure Hunt comes with early registration and an extended timeline tiding users over from December 30, 2025 all the way to February 9, 2026. A series of highlights spans daily trading tasks to earn points, unlimited daily draws, and grand prizes including BTC, and Bybit VIP Trial Passes.

All Paths Lead to Rewards

To start earning points, eligible Bybit users may register for the event and pick a rewards path based on their trading styles and preferences: 

  • Building Daily Trading Momentum: Traders can earn points through completing daily tasks, starting with trades as small as 10 USDT, with extra rewards for consistency by achieving consecutive trading days.
  • Exploring Bybit for More Points: Engaging with Bybit's product ecosystem and platform features for extra points.
  • Alpha Quests: Embarking on limited-time alpha missions and complete special missions featuring new Bybit products for accelerated point accumulation.

Throughout a treasure-hunting season full of surprises for Bybit's versatile traders, the points earned will convert to tangible value through various reward mechanisms:

  • Unlimited Scratch Cards: 50 points per draw with no daily limits from a pool of 1,000,000 cards
  • Hot Token Rewards: Access to a curated New Year prize pool featuring trending tokens
  • Elite Rewards: High-value rewards including BTC, VIP Trial Passes, and Hot Token airdrops

Getting a headstart in 2026 stands to be both rewarding and fun for traders at Bybit. The special-edition Daily Treasure Hunt aspires to ring in a winning year for Bybit users as they explore the digital asset class and level up their trading skills.

Terms and conditions apply. For details on eligibility and potential restrictions, users may visit: [New Year Edition] Daily Treasure Hunt: Find your alpha

#Bybit / #CryptoArk / #IMakeIt  

About Bybit

Bybit is the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 80 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com
For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media

Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

New Year Special: Bybit Daily Treasure Hunt Kicks Off 2026 with Six Weeks of Rewards

New Year Special: Bybit Daily Treasure Hunt Kicks Off 2026 with Six Weeks of Rewards

Recommended Articles