Interim managers are still seen as a threat by some companies who have a negative image of the job they do, according to the managing director of PiR Interims.

Carolyn Douthwaite told Recruiter that the role of an interim manager can still be thought of as negative, particularly if they are involved in crisis management or company restructuring.

"Interim managers can still be perceived as a threat," Douthwaite said. "To overcome this, they need to be introduced effectively and there needs to be clarity about what they are there to do."

PiR, which specialises in interim placements for the pharmaceutical industry, holds 'kick-off' meetings at the start of each assignment to allow the client and the interim to discuss the precise role of the manager.

"If the interim is introduced in the right way then permanent team members can see their role as positive," Douthwaite explained.

Another key function of a good interim, claims Douthwaite, is to ensure that there is a legacy for their successor to build on.

PiR Interims is a division of PiR. Based in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, PiR Interims was launched in 2005 after initially specialising in search assignments for the pharmaceutical industry.