Interim provider Russam GMS gathered this data from 11,000 interim managers. In response to the report, Charles Russam, chairman of Russam GMS said; “There are certainly signs of optimism for the interim market and things are not going to get any worse. Despite the announcement that the recession is officially over, businesses will still be reluctant to hire staff on a full-time basis for the time being.”

There were further positive results from this report with regards to interim rates. It was feared that interim rates were being cut but the report suggests that they have remained fairly stable. The average daily pay rate for interims across all sectors was £592 in December 2009, only a small decrease (1.5%) from £601 recorded in June 2008, and from the all time high of £611 recorded in December 2008.

Demand for interim managers within the Finance sector is increasing but there is concern about interim roles within the public sector. This is because it has been reported that there are planned government spending cuts, as well as projects potentially being frozen pre and post election. Charles Russam added; “I expect more interims to be taken on for projects instead of management consultants, as interims are much more cost-effective.”

For the first time, the demand for freelance senior experienced executives to work in the public sector is higher than the private sector. And all the indications are that the trend is likely to continue. Interims who have traditionally worked in the private sector but have seen their freelance opportunities disappear because of the recession, are now turning to the public and voluntary sectors instead.

Tom Brass, chairman of the Institute of Interim Managers, which represents those working in the profession, says: “While the market has been very tough, that’s been confined to the private sector. The general feeling is that public sector has held up pretty well and, if anything, has grown.”

Specialist agencies that recruit interims in the public and voluntary sectors believe the future is bright for these highly skilled managers, because one of their key roles is to go into organisations and help them run more efficiently.

IMA chairman Paul Botting says: “The most important thing is that for the first time the public sector has seen a dramatic growth over the private sector. I think the public sector generally sees interims as a solution – that they get pragmatic, experienced individuals who can hit the ground running who have the experience, the scar tissue and credibility to take the team with them.”