Stand-in roles grow sharply in uncertain time

THE demand for interim executives has soared in recent months, as under-pressure companies become reluctant to hire full time staff during a time of economic uncertainty.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Jan 2012, 06:00 BST

Interim executives are senior executives, usually just below board-level, who are recruited on a short term basis.

They can earn as much as £1,000 to £2,000 per day.

The demand for interim managers increased by 22 per cent in the three months to September 30 2011, bucking the otherwise lacklustre jobs market for senior executives and directors.

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Research by Ipsos MORI for the Interim Management Association identified 526 interim management assignments that started in the third quarter of 2011, compared with 431 that began in the previous quarter.

Interim Partners said demand is being driven by businesses that have gaps in their senior management teams.

However, they feel that the weak economic outlook makes it too risky for them to make full time appointments.

Doug Baird, the managing director of Interim Partners, which provides interim managers to the private sector, said some of the new appointments of interims are a “very specific response” to the eurozone crisis.