Women make up a third (32%) of interim executives, according to an Ipsos MORI report by the Interim Management Association (IMA).

The findings indicate that so far this year there has been a 10% increase in female interim managers from the end of last year. A year ago, women accounted for only a quarter of interim managers, but due to demand for diverse working choices, flexibility of roles or the affects of the recession, more women are exploring interim as a career.

Kate Mansfield, managing consultant at interim management specialists Alium Partners, told Recruiter: “Our experience certainly mirrors the IMA’s findings. I would say that the number of female interims on our database is roughly 10-15% higher than 12 months ago.

“In general, with both men and women, we are receiving around 100 new profiles each week, of which we will end up working with just 5%.”

Rachel Youngman, chairman of Interimwomen.com, a website which promotes the role of women in the world of interim management, says: “Overall this is a positive step. However, in part more women could be exploring interim as a result of the recession.

“They could well end up on a database but not get any assignments. I’d like to see the figures again next year and see how many have been on assignment. It’s a tough market for interims.”

Jason Atkinson, director of interim management company Russam GMS, told Recruiter: “Although the figures mirror what Russam is seeing, it still isn’t good enough.

“We need to be putting together shortlists for clients that are 50/50. Clients are looking for diversity, reflecting the society in which their business operates in. They don’t want ‘white male’ all the time.”