Employers turn to interim managers as competition for talent increases

The financial services industry takes the lead, accounting for 45 per cent of interim appointments in the private sector in Q1, according to the IMA. Specialist recruitment company, Cast UK, is seeing this trend mirrored in its clients’ recruitment strategies, with an exponential increase in interim managers across its sector specialisms, peaking in FMCG/Retail which has seen a 45 per cent surge this year alone. Wayne Brophy, Managing Director at Cast UK, commented: “Although we seem to be coming out of the recession, we’re seeing a continued demand for interim managers as employers recognise the value of a more flexible approach to recruitment. “With significant skills shortages in certain sectors, a reduced talent pool is also a catalyst for this as employers are seeking highly experienced, specialist talent with a proven track record, who can hit the ground running.” The rise in demand for interims is also reflected in the CIPD’s 2013 survey, Resourcing and Talent Planning, which reported that three-fifths of companies surveyed believe that the economic environment will increase demand for interim and contract workers. It’s also worth noting that the rate of change within businesses is creating a mismatch between the skills required by businesses and the talent available in the labour market. Wayne added: “Our clients are increasingly recognising the value of interim managers, either to help solve a short-term employment problem or as a smart means of managing growth and enhancing the organisation’s skills base. While historically, interims were seen as a bit of a leap of faith and a departure from traditional resourcing models, organisations are switching on to the benefits of interim managers, particularly from a commercial point of view.” For more information, visit: http://www.castuk.com/interim-recruitment-services