Interest in Interim Managers in the Public Sector has risen steadily since the National Audit Office’s (NAO) report in December 2006 raised questions about the scale and the cost of management consultants. Central government spent around £1.8 billion on consultancy in 2005/06, according to the NAO’s figures, while total public sector spending on consultants was estimated at around £2.8 billion for 2005/06.

The report, which surveyed the top 28 spending central government bodies, pointed out that whilst there have been improvements in using consultants, there is still some way to go before good value for money is achieved overall.

The government has had a major challenge on its hands for some years – to reduce management consultancy spending but at the same time, increase efficiency levels. The obvious solution is interim management.

Interim managers are growing in popularity in central and local government because they are far more cost effective than management consultants and they can also deliver. They are experienced professionals adept at leading major new projects and initiatives; they immediately fit within existing hierarchies and team and produce results from day one. They are confident performers and because of their high levels of experience, they are often over-qualified for their roles.