Introduction to the Sambrook Report on The UK Interim Management Market

The Sambrook Report (thirty pages) on the UK Interim Management Market (published in 2000) remains an important quantitative piece of research which sheds considerable light on the prospects for the interim management industry. At the end of this article we have included contact details for Sambrook. In the UK it has been available at a cost of £45 (including postage and packing).

Sambrook Report on The UK Interim Management Market - Summary

The following is an executive summary of the research findings.

1. Respondents define interim management as the provision of a mature, professional manager, well qualified by relevant practical experience, either to fill a gap in permanent staffing or to project manage change within a limited time period.
2. The UK market for interim management is estimated to have grown by 20% per annum from £ 75m in 1995 to £ 190m in 2000. The market is expected to continue growing strongly by about 17-18% per annum to reach £ 420m by 2005.
3. There is a large future market potential for interim management , and market saturation is not expected in the foreseeable future (i.e. 5-10 years). There are an estimated 2,400 interim managers active at any time, which represents less than 1% of the estimated number of managers/directors with similar earnings capabilities (i.e. £50,000+ a year).
4. Availability of suitably trained/experienced interim managers to meet growth in demand has not been a problem to date (partly due to management shake-outs throughout industry during the 90's). However, some feel that this may become a more critical issue in future, especially if the strong UK economy is sustained.
5. End-users expressed a high level of satisfaction with interim managers used in the past (88% were quite/very satisfied) and 92% indicated that they would probably/definitely use interim managers again in the future (if the need arises).
6. However, end-users have mixed views about interim management (52% disadvantages compared to 48% advantages). Whilst they appreciate specialist knowledge/experience, the ability to raise skill levels, availability and speedy outputs, they are also concerned over costs and demotivating existing staff, fitting in with their company culture and poor business commitment.
7. Key factors that are currently inhibiting faster growth of the interim management market in the UK are:-
   • Lack of awareness of interim management
   • Lack of understanding of the benefits interim management can achieve
   • Lack of perceived need (amongst end-users)
8. Key challenges that the industry faces over the next 5-10 years are:-
   • To ensure that there is a steady supply of interim managers suitably qualified with the relevant experience and skills that customers are looking for.
   • Raise the overall image of interim management and the level of professionalism that its members can offer.
   • Target and seek to win market share from implementation consultants that carry out tasks that are similar (and in some cases identical) to the work carried out by interim managers, albeit often for a significantly higher fee.

See our article summarising the main objectives of the Sambrook Report into the interim management market.

For a full copy of the detailed findings published within The Sambrook Report on the UK Interim Management Market please contact Sambrook Research.

Sambrook Research International
Lime House
30 Station Road
Newport
Shropshire
TF10 7EN

Tel: +44 (0) 1952 825444
Fax: +44 (0) 1952 825425

E-mail: info@sambrookresearch.co.uk

Want to Know More About the Industry?

The CBI Interim Management Guide is another helpful introduction to the interim management industry and our article about executive interim managers, also offers some further insights.