Demand for interim managers increased in Q3, despite tough economic conditions, according to Ipsos Mori research carried out for the Interim Management Association (IMA).

Commenting on a 24% increase in Q3 on new assignments, Paul Botting, chair IMA, says: “The interim management sector has been incredibly resilient and with the latest figures showing a marked increase in new assignments it looks like this growth is set to return.”

The latest results show the private sector accounted for 53% of all completed assignments in Q3 (up from 49% in Q2). This is a reversal of Q2 when public sector assignments surpassed those in the private sector levels for the first time since the IMA started monitoring the market in 2006.  

Nearly a third (31%) of public sector assignments are health related, while 29% are local government.  Central government has regained momentum (13%) after a significant slowdown in Q2.