But another third of businesses believed that the public sector workers are 'not well-equipped', and a further 20 percent believe that they would not be equipped to take on the private sector roles at all.

Paul Coby, the former CIO at British Airways said last September that the key to successful transitioning to the private sector was adaptability.

"I don't think it's that difficult [working in private and public sector]. Clearly, the environment and objectives are going to be different, but what you need to be is adaptable - to listen and to understand the agenda of an organisation. You need to think what are you there for and adapt to that," he said.

Coby has experience of the public sector. He was principal private secretary to John MacGregor secretary of State for Transport, from 1992 to 1994.

Despite not having a lot of experience of hiring people directly from the public sector, David Jack, CIO of Thetrainline.com, agreed with Coby. "Talent is talent. The best people will always find a place in another business. Skills are transferable," said Jack.