Looking Ahead: What Global Businesses Need to Prepare for in 2026

Author – John Darcy

An interview with our Client Solutions Director, Emma Lisauskas on global growth, real-world lessons, and what’s changing

After more than a decade and a half working with businesses expanding across borders, one thing is clear: global growth never stands still. The conversations may change, the markets may shift, but the need for clarity, structure, and trusted advice remains constant.

We spoke with Emma Lisauskas about what she’s seeing as businesses look ahead to 2026, drawing on over 15 years of experience supporting international expansion, building partnerships with global firms and helping clients navigate the realities of global growth.

Q1: When you think about 2026, how does the global business landscape feel compared to earlier in your career?

Emma Lisauskas:
It feels much more intentional.Earlier in my career, global expansion was often about momentum, “We’ve got demand, let’s move fast.” Over the years, and especially recently, I’ve seen that mindset change. Businesses still want to grow, but they want to do it properly.With 15 years in this space, I’ve seen what happens when companies rush in without the right foundations. By 2026, the organisations that succeed will be the ones that balance ambition with planning.

Q2: How are global economic conditions influencing client decisions right now?

Emma Lisauskas:
Clients are far more selective than they used to be, and that’s a good thing.Instead of asking, “Where can we grow?” they’re asking, “Where does it make sense for us to grow?” Different regions are performing at different speeds, and businesses understand that they can’t take a blanket approach anymore.From experience, the strongest growth comes when businesses align expansion with their internal capability, not just external opportunity.

Q3: The UK often comes up in expansion conversations, how do you see its role heading into 2026?

Emma Lisauskas:
The UK still plays a really important role, both inbound and outbound.For international businesses, the UK feels familiar — it offers a stable legal framework and access to a diverse talent pool. For UK-based companies, there’s growing confidence around expanding overseas, particularly into North America, Europe, and the Middle East.What’s different now is that clients are much more aware of the detail. They want to understand employment obligations, payroll requirements, and compliance upfront, rather than dealing with surprises later on.

Q4: Which regions are clients most curious about beyond the UK?

Emma Lisauskas:
North America remains high on the list, it’s often seen as a natural next step for scaling businesses.We’re also having a lot more conversations about the Middle East, especially the UAE, which has become very attractive from both a commercial and operational perspective. Some clients are also exploring Asia and Latin America, but they’re doing so carefully, often testing the market before committing fully.That caution isn’t hesitation, it’s maturity.

Q5: Are there particular industries that feel better positioned for global growth by 2026?

Emma Lisauskas:
Industries built around people and expertise tend to scale more easily across borders.Professional services, fintech, healthcare, and technology-enabled businesses are all strong examples. They don’t rely on physical infrastructure in the same way, which makes international expansion more accessible.But even then, success depends on how well businesses manage their people, processes, and compliance, that’s something I’ve seen consistently over the years.

Q6: International hiring has changed a lot, how does that shape the 2026 outlook?

Emma Lisauskas:
International hiring is now part of the norm, not a special initiative.Clients want the best talent, wherever it’s based. But what often surprises them is how different employment rules can be from one country to the next. Over my career, I’ve seen businesses trip up simply because they assumed employment works the same everywhere.The clients who do this well treat workforce strategy as a core part of expansion, not an admin task.

Q7: From your perspective, what are the biggest opportunities and challenges ahead?

Emma Lisauskas:
The opportunity is huge, access to global markets, skills, and partnerships has never been easier.The challenge is managing complexity. By 2026, businesses will be juggling more jurisdictions, regulations, and operating models than ever before. Without the right advice and support, that can quickly become overwhelming.My role is often about helping clients slow things down just enough to make the right decisions.

Q8: Looking back across your career and Briars’ work with clients, what’s the biggest lesson learned?

Emma Lisauskas:
That strong foundations make everything else easier.I’ve seen businesses of all sizes succeed internationally when they invest early in structure, around finance, HR, payroll, and compliance, and struggle when they don’t. Partnerships matter too. Having trusted advisors makes a real difference when you’re navigating unfamiliar territory.It’s a lesson that’s only become more relevant over time.

Quick-Fire Round: Preparing for Global Growth in 2026

The biggest change businesses need to prepare for in 2026?

Global expansion decisions will be scrutinised far more closely, by regulators, investors, and employees, so assumptions and shortcuts will be harder to justify.

The first question leadership teams should be asking now about 2026?

“Are our current structures actually fit for international growth next year, or are we relying on workarounds?”

The most common risk businesses will face when activating growth plans in 2026?

Moving faster than their internal governance, systems, and teams can realistically support.

The smartest way to approach new markets in 2026?

Phased entry — testing markets, building local understanding, and scaling once the model works.

The area that will cause the most friction if ignored in 2026?

Workforce structure. Getting employment status, contracts, and payroll wrong will slow everything else down.

One investment that will pay off throughout 2026 and beyond?

Trusted partners with on-the-ground expertise who can simplify decision-making and reduce risk as plans go live.

Final Thoughts: Preparing for 2026 Starts Now

Looking ahead to 2026, one thing is clear: global growth isn’t becoming easier, it’s becoming more intentional.

After more than 15 years working with businesses expanding across borders, I’ve seen the difference between organisations that react to change and those that prepare for it. The businesses that succeed internationally aren’t always the biggest or the fastest, they’re the ones that take the time to build the right foundations, ask the right questions, and surround themselves with the right partners.

The next phase of global growth will belong to businesses that treat expansion as a strategic decision, not a short-term opportunity. That means understanding markets before entering them, getting workforce and compliance right from day one, and being honest about where support is needed.

If 2026 is on your horizon, whether that’s entering a new market, hiring internationally, or restructuring how you operate globally, the most important step is starting the conversation early. The earlier you plan, the more confident and sustainable your growth will be.

Global expansion doesn’t have to be complex, but it does need to be done properly. And the businesses that recognise that now will be the ones best positioned for what comes next.

To start your global expansion journey, start the conversation here by connecting on LinkedIn or contact us here.