By Rachel Frankland
Businesses in many – if not most – industry sectors have spent several years now battling to keep up with the frenetic and insatiable drive to new technology.
Digital disruptors have ripped up the rule book and challenged the autonomy of long term industry leaders in every sector from financial services to consumer retail.
Far from stalling the march of digital, the pandemic has created even more demand for online innovation, with lockdowns and related social distancing measures enforcing home working and shopping alike.
But with companies having to slash operating costs – and therefore executive headcount – in response to the unprecedented economic downturn, many are now finding themselves short of expertise in key areas.
The unpredictable economic outlook caused by Covid and – for a number of sectors – Brexit, has left many firms unable to commit to hiring permanent executive leaders in such an extremely challenging climate.
Yet businesses need commercial expertise in vital specialisms such as FP&A, business transformation and digital more than ever, with particular demand for finance roles leading budgeting, reforecasting, working capital and cash flow management.
Interim management can help solve this dilemma for boardrooms.
With so much business restructuring having been conducted this year the candidate market is buzzing, with a broad range of immediately available talent in all of these functional areas.
HW Global is in regular touch with executives – many of whom we have known for several years – in all our key interim markets: financial services; CFO; consumer retail and CPG; and B2B products and services.
The many benefits of interims to companies needing a swift injection of talent, without the long term commitment of a permanent executive hire, also include major savings on remuneration packages with fixed term contracts or agreed day rates, and extensive experience.
We work closely with clients to remotely onboard interim executives, who are well versed in being commissioned by organisations during challenging periods and working flexibly.
Our offices in London, Leeds and Manchester are finding the private equity market in particular is taking advantage of the increased interim talent on offer, alongside the PLCs and other SMEs we serve, as they focus on budgeting and reforecasting for 2021 and beyond.
Please get in touch to discuss the candidate market and how HW Interim can support your short term talent requirements.
Rachel Frankland is a consultant at HW Interim specialising in finance appointments. Contact her at rachelf@hwglobalpartner.com or +44 (0) 113 243 2004 for a confidential discussion.
