UK business executives lack confidence to interpret data and analytics
Survey finds execs aren’t confident in ability to derive insights from business information


Most UK business leaders believe in the value of using data and analytics, but say they lack confidence in their ability to measure its effectiveness and impact, and mistrust the analytics used to help drive decision making, according to a new survey.
The report, titled Building Trust in Analytics, by KPMG, found that business executives are not very confident in the insights they are deriving from data and analytics, particularly in the areas of: risk and security where only 45% are very confident in their insights, 40% for customer insight and only 37% were very confident about their insights around business operations.
Around 70% of UK executives believe that by using data and analytics they expose their organisations to reputational risk, according to the survey of 2,165 respondents from 10 countries, including 250 respondents from the UK. The research was carried out by Forrester Research for KPMG.
The low levels of trust may originate at the top and filter down through the organisation, the survey data suggests. Nearly half of respondents report that their C-level executives do not fully support their organisation's data and analytics strategy. This low level of confidence points to a lack of trust in the insights generated by D&A, which may be due to D&A's inherent complexity, plus a human instinct for emotional decision making.
"As analytics increasingly drive the decisions that affect us as individuals, as businesses and as societies, there must be a heightened focus on ensuring the highest level of trust in the data, the analytics and the controls that generate desired outcomes," said Paul Tombleson, UK Head of Data & Analytics at KPMG.
"Failing to master analytics will not only make it increasingly hard for organisations to compete, but will expose their brands to new and growing risks. Seventy percent of UK executives believe that by using data and analytics they expose their organisations to reputational risk."
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
Rene Millman is a freelance writer and broadcaster who covers cybersecurity, AI, IoT, and the cloud. He also works as a contributing analyst at GigaOm and has previously worked as an analyst for Gartner covering the infrastructure market. He has made numerous television appearances to give his views and expertise on technology trends and companies that affect and shape our lives. You can follow Rene Millman on Twitter.
-
Asus ZenScreen Fold OLED MQ17QH review
Reviews A stunning foldable 17.3in OLED display – but it's too expensive to be anything more than a thrilling tech demo
By Sasha Muller
-
How the UK MoJ achieved secure networks for prisons and offices with Palo Alto Networks
Case study Adopting zero trust is a necessity when your own users are trying to launch cyber attacks
By Rory Bathgate
-
Amazon’s new Lookout for Metrics monitors your organization’s KPIs
News Lookout for Metrics uses machine learning to detect anomolies
By Mike Brassfield
-
TikTok to open first European data centre in Ireland
News The move could signify a desire to shift its operations away from the US as well as secure its position in the European market
By Sabina Weston
-
What is Network Intelligence?
In-depth A look at the technology enabling businesses to analyse data packets in real-time
By Esther Kezia Thorpe
-
MPs in a muddle over GDPR and storing voters' personal data
News Labour MP Chris Bryant says his staff were told to delete constituents' data
By Bobby Hellard
-
Three keys to successful data management
In-depth Companies need to take a fresh look at data management to realise its true value
By Esther Kezia Thorpe
-
Trump resort will not be charged for breaching data laws
News Presidential hopeful's Scottish golf course failed to register under the Data Protection Act for four years
By Adam Shepherd
-
Basho open sources its database for the Internet of Things
News NoSQL database gives developers better API support
By Adam Shepherd
-
Banks urged to share data but warned over security
News Experts voice concern over security of open API recommendations
By Rene Millman