Combined technical and business expertise are the hardest skills to recruit globally, according to the annual PricewaterhouseCoopers chief executive survey.

It found that 56% report difficulties in finding people with the courage to challenge decisions while those with the ability to collaborate, or with language skills, are easier to find.

The poll found that creativity and innovation, combined technical and business experience, the ability to change and the courage to challenge are most sought after in Asia Pacific. Latin American chief executives hanker after employees with global experience, and the ability to manage and anticipate risk is most sought by bosses in central and Eastern Europe.

The research found that respondents from the UK are more likely to agree that competitive advantage is likely to come from improved customer service (84%), the ability to change (83%) and access and retention of key talent (81%).

It found that some 89% of chief executives globally say that that people management issues are one of their top priorities, 67% believe their time is best spent on the people agenda but only 43% believe their HR department is equipped to deal with changes needed to compete for talent – this is as low as 34% in the UK.