1,400 SME companies from various key industries were approached, including those operating in the manufacturing, food and drink, technology and business support service sectors. The survey also revealed that the vast majority of respondents stated that finance, business development and research & development are the areas where they are planning to recruit in the short term. Whilst 14 per cent of organisations confirmed they would prefer to bring in a specialist interim expert over employing a full time employee for these kinds of positions.
When questioned about their recruitment histories, 30 per cent of respondents had used interims in the past and due to market instability, 51 per cent are now more likely to employ an interim manager than they were before the economic downturn.
When questioned about the value that interim managers offer, 81 per cent of those surveyed said that they believed interims provided a ‘good return on investment’.
Grant Speed – managing director of Odgers Interim – said: “This survey has been a useful tool in understanding both the recruitment and interim trends within the SME space. It is really positive to see that many companies are looking to grow their senior teams and it backs up what our clients are saying to us on a day to day basis. Grant added: We appreciate the outlook is still challenging but SMEs are – and will continue to be – vital to the UK economy so signs such as these are very welcome.”
