Executive leadership in Poland: key market trends and expectations
Christian Tegethoff, Managing Director and Marek Ambroziak, Assignment Manager Poland, CT Executive Search
Which labour-market trends will most affect the availability of qualified leaders in the coming years, and how should German companies prepare?
The Polish executive market remains dynamic. Management positions are in high demand, particularly in the areas of tech and IT, business services, industry, FMCG, and shared service centers. However, filling management positions in these segments is becoming increasingly selective, as companies set higher requirements. According to current labor market studies, this trend is expected to continue in the next few years.
Poland is considered dynamic, fast-growing, and forward-looking
Adrian Stadnicki, Regional Director for Central Eastern Europe, German Eastern Business Association e.V., Berlin
Poland is one of the preferred locations for German companies doing business in the EU. In your opinion, what conditions currently underpin this position, and which trends will play a key role in shaping Poland’s future as a business location?
Poland is considered dynamic, fast-growing, and forward-looking. Since the 1990s, its economy has been growing faster than in any other large EU country. According to IMF forecasts, Poland will soon join the ranks of the world's 20 largest economies, which would be a milestone. Thus, for many German companies, Poland has become a strategic growth market.
Doing Business in Indonesia 2026
An Introduction to Doing Business in Indonesia 2026, compiled by Dezan Shira & Associates, provides foreign enterprises and investors with a comprehensive overview of Indonesia’s business landscape.
The guide covers the following:
- Human resources and payroll
- Indonesia’s New Positive Investment List
- Corporate establishment
- Taxation
- Audit and compliance
Senior Advisors – Strategic Gateways to International Markets
Christian Tegethoff, Managing Director, CT Executive Search
In an era of growing protectionism, unstable supply chains, and geopolitical risks, having a strong product and a solid strategy is often no longer enough for a successful market entry. For medium-sized companies operating in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, or Asia, access to local networks and decision-makers plays a crucial role. Research in the SME sector shows that personal networks, cultural insight, and access to external expertise correlate with stronger growth in international markets.
Market Entry Advisory via an Interim Consultant from CT Executive Search
Advantages of Working with an External Market Specialist
- Cost efficiency: Lower expenses compared to hiring consulting firms.
- Industry and product expertise: Access to deep market and product knowledge from a locally experienced expert.
- Tailored industry-specific guidance: No generic templates—only practical, customised recommendations.
- Operational relevance: Actionable analyses and realistic implementation proposals.
Recent developments in Polish labour law
Aleksandra Wyleciol, Legal Counsel and Senior Associate, LYNX, Poland
What are the most recent changes in Poland’s labour and corporate legislation?
Several important changes have been made to the country’s labour law, which are of particular importance to employers in Poland.
1. Partial implementation of the EU Pay Transparency Directive.
Starting from 24 December 2025, employers must provide candidates with written information on the remuneration offered. This information must be included in the job advertisement, provided before the interview, or at the latest before the employment relationship is established. Employers must also refrain from asking candidates about previous remuneration.
China: Guangzhou and Foshan Simplify Foreign Hiring with New Mobility Rules
The Guangzhou Foshan new foreign talent measures introduce a fast‑track policy framework designed to streamline work permits and cross‑city mobility. The new rules relax age and experience restrictions, unify salary standards, and enable mutual recognition of foreign work permits across both cities. These coordinated measures strengthen the Guangzhou–Foshan innovation ecosystem and enhance the region’s appeal to global professionals.
Accelerating Market Entry with External Specialists
Christian Tegethoff, Managing Director, CT Executive Search
When entering new markets, companies face numerous fundamental questions: Will our products be in demand in India, Saudi Arabia, or Central Asia? What expectations do local customers have regarding delivery times and service quality? Which certifications and approvals are required? Which sales model is suitable for the respective market?
Labor Trends and Risk Management in China 2026
In this issue:
- China’s Labor Market in 2026: Wage, Mobility Shifts, and the New Talent Map
- AI Technology in China’s Hiring and Workforce Management
- Labor Compliance in China: Enforcement Trends and Documentation Risk
- Managing Labor Risks: Workforce Structuring Strategies for 2026 and Beyond
India’s Next Growth Cycle: Sector Intelligence for Scalable Market Entry
India’s Next Growth Cycle: Sector Intelligence for Scalable Market Entry explores where global capital is concentrating in the country – from electronics and advanced manufacturing to renewables, EVs, and digital infrastructure – and how policy continuity and trade agreements are reshaping investor strategy. From sector-led entry considerations to localization, compliance planning, and export optimization, this edition provides a practical roadmap for scalable, long-cycle investment in India.
ASCENTRIA SEARCH PARTNERS AND CT EXECUTIVE SEARCH EUROPE ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC ADVISORY PARTNERSHIP
CT Executive Search Press Release
Ascentria Search Partners, a U.S.-based executive and professional search firm, and CT Executive Search Europe GmbH, a retained executive search firm headquartered in Berlin, have announced a strategic advisory partnership to better support clients across North America and Europe, India and the Middle East.
“With more companies operating globally and leadership decisions carrying greater risk, trusted perspective matters,” said Christian Tegethoff, Managing Director of CT Executive Search Europe. “Ken brings decades of experience, a strong point of view, and a highly consultative approach that aligns perfectly with how we work with our clients.”
Chancellor Merz’s Visit to ADNOC Deepens UAE–Germany Relations
The official visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to the headquarters of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) signaled the consolidation of a structural shift in UAE–Germany economic relations: from short-term energy procurement toward long-term strategic integration across LNG, advanced materials, renewable energy storage, ammonia, and industrial digitalization.
For businesses and investors, the implications extend well beyond LNG contracts.
One Central Registration: India’s Answer to Labor Compliance Complexity
India’s four new labor codes, expected to be operational nationwide by April 1, 2026, introduce one central registration framework for employers in India, cutting duplication while preserving statutory worker protections.
China Enforces Higher Salary Thresholds for A/B Work Permits
The foreigner’s work permit in China is undergoing significant changes as major cities strictly reenforce higher salary thresholds for Category A and B applicants. These updates affect both new applications and renewals, particularly in Beijing and Shanghai, where multiplier-based salary validation is now mandatory. Employers and foreign employees must prepare for heightened documentary requirements and stricter renewal timelines.
How India’s New Labor Codes Will Reshape M&A Transactions in 2026
India’s new labor codes are reshaping the M&A landscape in India by altering valuation models, workforce liabilities, and integration costs, requiring buyers to treat labor diligence as a core financial and deal-structuring exercise.
An Introduction to Doing Business in India 2026
Designed to introduce the fundamentals of investing in India, this publication is compiled by the experts at Dezan Shira & Associates.
Topics covered:
- HR and payroll
- Policy overhaul of 2025
- India’s investment climate
- Structuring India operations
- Audit and financial reporting
- Trade environment
- DPDP law
Local Director and Management Presence Requirements in Singapore
For foreign investors evaluating Singapore as a base for regional or international operations, local director and management presence requirements are best understood as a governance design issue.
Topics covered include:
- Why Singapore requires local oversight
- The resident director requirement
- Who may act as a resident director?
- Director responsibility and shareholder control
- Management presence in day-to-day operations
Indo-German Business Magazine 4/2025
Indo-German Chamber of Commerce
How is healthcare innovation shaping the future of Indo-German business collaboration?
This issue brings together expert insights, industry perspectives, and real-world examples on how healthcare innovation, partnerships, and technology are strengthening Indo-German ties in one of the most critical sectors for sustainable growth.
UAE Employment Law Updates: Key Developments in 2024/2025 and What They Mean for 2026
The UAE’s recent Employment Law reforms strengthen employee protections, streamline dispute resolution, and raise compliance expectations for employers. These changes, extending into 2026, signal a more structured regulatory environment requiring businesses to adopt proactive, disciplined HR and legal practices.
Czechia: Crowdworking only in employment?
A European directive targets platform work such as Uber, Bolt, etc. and introduces the presumption of employment. How does this affect the Czech test of dependent work?
Directive (EU) 2024/2831 of the European Parliament and of the Council on improving working conditions in platform work (the “Directive”) is an EU regulation that affects the definition of the employment status of persons working for digital platforms and further regulates algorithmic work management in detail.
Should Foreign Companies in Indonesia Appoint Local Directors for Governance or Compliance Only?
Foreign companies entering Indonesia often appoint a local director early, usually to satisfy licensing, banking, or operational requirements.
The real decision is not whether a local director is required, but whether that role should remain limited to compliance or extend into governance as the business operates and grows.
An Introduction to Doing Business in China 2026
An Introduction to Doing Business in China 2026 equips investors with up-to-date and practical insights into market entry, regulatory compliance, and operational strategies under evolving conditions. Whether you are planning expansion or optimizing existing operations, this guide helps you navigate China’s opportunities and challenges with clarity and confidence.
Doing Business in China 2026 covers:
- Establishing and Running a Business
- Tax, Audit, and Accounting
- Human Resources and Payroll
- Cybersecurity and Data Protection
CENTRAL ASIA REMAINS A REGION ON THE MOVE
Vladimir Nikitenko, Regional Director for Central Asia at the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations
How would you evaluate the current economic landscape of the Central Asian states, and what key trends do you anticipate emerging in the coming years?
Central Asia is increasingly coming into the international spotlight in light of global power shifts, not least because of its strategic location as a bridge between Europe and Asia, and its rich natural resources. The region's economies are on a clear growth path: average growth rates have been around 7% in recent years, and inter national institutions expect stable growth to continue in 2026.
KAZAKHSTAN: THE LEVEL OF QUALIFICATIONS VARIES GREATLY
Christian Tegethoff Managing Director, and Nataliya Lyukshina, Research Manager for Central Asia & Transcaucasia, CT Executive Search
What are the prospects for attracting and retaining qualified and motivated employees in Kazakhstan?
The conditions for recruiting qualified and motivated specialists in Kazakhstan are currently favourable. A growing number of managers have international experience, and the language and intercultural skills required to work in European companies.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN KAZAKHSTAN: NEW LAW OPENS UP STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES
Nikolai Knorr, Managing Director & Partner, RSP International Almaty
In September 2025, Kazakhstan took a significant step into the digital age when the Maschilis (the lower house of parliament) passed the first framework law in Central Asia to regulate the field of artificial intelligence (AI). This document is not a mere formality, but represents a significant change in the legal framework for any organisation that uses AI technologies or plans to introduce them.
