Executive search: Businesses’ economic peril boosts demand for turnaround interims

Wed, 21 Jan 2009

Management teams in troubled businesses are increasing the use of interim recruiters.

Steve Baggi, co-founder and director of Green Park Interim and Executive Resourcing, told Recruiterthe company had experienced a 20% increase in demand for turnaround skills in the last six months.  

“Interim management is increasing because as organisations slim down, it is a great way to bring in specific skill sets, and on the other side there is turnaround and recovery.”

Baggi says managers have gained their skills during 10 to 15 years of growth, meaning there are very few candidates with the relevant experience.

John Bloor, managing consultant at interim management recruiter Alium, told Recruitercompanies were looking for managers with experience relevant to the market. 

“A classic response [to the current climate] is to cut costs, but that means you can destroy value if you don’t do it properly. There are people who are skilled in doing this in a way which has least impact on value, which is what you want.”