First national survey reveals One third of interim appointments now in the public sector

Interim managers are being used more to direct change, deliver essential projects and improve business, and less for their traditional gap-management role, according to the first industry-wide survey.

The findings by Ipsos MORI for the Interim Management Association lift the lid for the first time on the growing interim management business, estimated to be worth 560 million a year in Britain.

Nick Robeson, IMA chair, said: ìThe key finding is that interim management is increasingly being used proactively as a strategic option, with interim managers brought in to deliver dynamic change and essential projects. Traditionally interims were used for gap-management - to fill a key vacancy at short notice - and this is still an important function. But our new results demonstrate clearly how senior, experienced executives are being sought to lead and support organisations in business-critical operations.î

The IMA results have highlighted the growth of interim managers working in the public sector. These now make up one third of all interim appointments, with the majority of public sector interims working in local government (37 per cent), health (27 per cent) and central government (14 per cent). Use of interims in the public sector is expected to rise.

Figures show the top three reasons for using an interim in the private and public sectors were:

Change/transition management - 25 per cent
Programme/project management - 24 per cent
Business improvement - 22 per cent.

Gap management came in at fourth place, with 16 per cent.

Nick Robeson added: ìOur findings confirm that interims are operating throughout the UK at strategic levels across the private and public sectors. We also know from other research that bringing an interim on-board can increase profitability in a company running into millions of pounds.î

The survey polled the 27 interim management providers that are members of the IMA. Other findings include:

338 interim assignments were completed.
fees ranged from 500 to 1,500 a day.
a quarter of assignments were in HR.

Government departments and other commercial organisations have been in contact with the IMA and are keen to use the results. The survey is the first of a quarterly series being planned by the association to provide a detailed, up-to-date analysis of the industry. Robeson said: ìThis is the start of some very important work for the Interim Management Association, and as the data builds we will have a clearer and more accurate picture of the interim management industry.î