British management is surprisingly optimistic about coming out of recession, compared to their US counterparts, according to a study by executive careers site TheLadders.

A survey of more than 4,000 bosses across the UK and the US by www.theladders.co.uk and www.theladders.com found that over half of Britain’s senior management believe we will be out of recession by next year, while two out of three US executives state it will be at least two years before they see any upturn.

Comparing the opinions of business leaders across the two major financial markets, the study found:

The survey also found UK executives more willing to move for the right job, with 73% of respondents happy to consider a move across the pond to secure a job. This figure was just 59% in the US. However, bosses in the US are more flexible when it comes to salary, with 73% willing to accept a pay cut to stay in their job vs 63% in the UK.

Respondents on both sides of the pond tell TheLadders that the recession has forced them to re-evaluate their careers. In both countries, 30% of executives say they are now pursuing work they actively enjoy, with 37% of UK and 42% of US hard working management now spending more time with their family, while 13% of UK and 11% of US bosses have started their own business.

And finally, while last year’s election of President Obama inspired many US businesses, 73% of bosses here see the forthcoming UK General Election as offering little hope to British business. Around 20% say that the election may cause a temporary blip, 23% say the downturn is bigger than the UK and 30% believe that the UK economy is “in too big a hole” to spring back that quickly.