Use of interim managers in the public sector has risen to historic levels, with local government contributing the highest percentage of uptake, a poll suggests.
A survey of temporary manager providers by the Interim Management Association (IMA) has found the public sector's contribution to completed assignments rose nine points to 49% during the third quarter of last year - representing a near even split with the private sector.
This also matches the highest recorded uptake of non-permanent managers in the public sector, coupled with the second quarter in 2009.
Of the assignments, 41% was in local government, while 17% was for central government and 15% for education.
Some 35% of interim management role were held by women, with the proportion having remained over 30% since Q2 2013.
Simon Drake, chairman of the IMA and director at Penna plc, said: 'This is the first time we have seen such a high percentage mix of interims in the public sector for the last four years, which we last saw during the previous pre-election years.'
Neil Lupin, senior partner at Green Park Interim, added: 'The cuts faced by local authorities from 2015 to 2020 require a fundamental rethink about the way statutory and discretionary services are delivered. Demand for interims to lead these changes is as high as it has ever been and hasn't peaked.
'New skills are needed, for example in commercialising services and customer services channel shift and in traditional areas such as children's services, the demand for turnaround assistant directors and directors far outstrips supply.'
