The poll surveyed 1,500 private business owners, including 130 from the east – with 92pc of firms in the region feeling confident about their growth prospects leading into next year.
KPMG UK’s Private Enterprise Barometer surveyed private business owners across sectors such as professional services, technology, finance, industrial manufacturing and retail.
KPMG’s London office (Image: KPMG) It found more than half (52pc) of firms in the east reported increased demand for their products and services.
Looking ahead, almost three quarters (72pc) plan to diversify by creating new products or services, while nearly half (45pc) intend to target international expansion.
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Technology investment is set to be a key focus for private businesses in the east, with 73pc prioritising areas such as AI, cybersecurity and digital transformation – the highest in the country.
Innovation is also high on the agenda (47pc), followed by workforce and skills development (48pc).
Almost three in five (59pc) of respondents said they were confident they could recruit people with the skills needed for their businesses – ahead of the national average (55pc).
“Harnessing the power of emerging technologies like AI will be important for businesses of all sizes – not just to boost productivity but to elevate customer experiences and stay ahead of the curve.
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“It’s heartening to see so many businesses making innovation a top priority, while also keeping a sharp focus on investing in their people.
“Across the UK’s economy, this will help to unlock growth long term.”