Europe

Interim Management involves temporarily entrusting an executive role or a strategic project to a highly experienced external leader.

• Objective: To resolve a crisis, fill an urgent vacancy (gap management), or lead a complex transformation (M&A, digital rollout, restructuring).
• Key Differentiator: Unlike consultants (who recommend) or standard temp staffing (who replace), the Interim Manager is a "doer" with operational mandates and decision-making power.

The European market is experiencing structural growth. It is now viewed as a tool for strategic agility rather than just a last resort for emergencies.

• Growth & Drivers: The market is growing by approximately 5–7% annually. The main drivers for 2025 are Digital Transformation (AI integration, ERP), ESG/CSR compliance, and industrial restructuring due to the economic climate.
• Dominant Sectors:
  • Industry: Remains the primary client (Automotive, Engineering, Pharma), accounting for nearly 50% of assignments.
  • Services & Tech: Showing strong growth.
• Most Requested Functions:
  1. General Management & Operations: For turnarounds, carve-outs, or crisis management.
  2. Finance (Interim CFO): High demand for cash management, LBOs, or M&A integration.
  3. HR (Interim CHRO): For restructuring plans, social dialogue, or change management.
  4. CIO / Digital: Increasing demand to manage cybersecurity and AI implementation.

The market is increasingly intermediated (approx. 50–60% of missions go through providers).

• Pure Players: Firms specializing exclusively in interim management (e.g., Valtus, X-PM, EIM, Emerton Leadership...). They offer strong methodological support (often assigning a "Shadow Manager" or Mission Director to support the interim executive).
• Recruitment / Executive Search Firms: Major firms that have opened dedicated Interim Management divisions.

• Platforms & Freelancers

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