Almost two thirds of British interims (65.8%) have no concerns about work opportunities after March 29, with 37% feeling optimistic or very optimistic about their prospects, new research has found.

Interim management specialist Russam GMS surveyed 1,000 interims on their feelings about the post Brexit future and, while 10% of respondents said they felt very pessimistic, most interims were confident in their outlook.

The findings demonstrate the crucial role interims play in supporting business as Brexit approaches – and in the future once its outcomes become clear. Interims are vastly experienced in driving and adapting to all kinds of change.

Comments from interims included:

“All businesses want to grow and must adapt to the changing market. It’s the interim market that facilitates that change and so prospects are good.”

“So many people are unprepared for a No Deal situation… they will need help to move forward.”

“Uncertainty provides opportunity for interims.”

Interestingly, the level of confidence varied substantially in different market sectors. Interims working in the Financial Services sector were the most bullish, with 44% of respondents reporting feelings of optimism.

One noted: “London will thrive because the European centres of Frankfurt etc. lack experience”

Meanwhile, people in the Charity and Not for Profit sectors reported the lowest levels of optimism, at 22%.

Comments included: “As the fallout from Brexit takes hold it will hit the Third Sector, with the corporate world re-evaluating their stance on CSR. It’s my opinion that they will need to redirect funds to their business.”

Jason Atkinson, Managing Director of Russam GMS said: “The results of our survey are fascinating. This is the only current research exploring views within the executive gig economy – and it would seem that interims are possibly among the most positive in the UK about what Brexit means for their business prospects.

“The difference in opinion across the various industry sectors is very interesting. Our interims in Financial Services are displaying the most positivity, while the Charity sector is far less confident about the future – which makes sense given that any negative economic impact will likely affect Charity sector funding.

“Comments across every sector, though, demonstrated the important role that interims play in helping businesses adapt to change, which is the basis for the general positivity about the future. Where there are business challenges, there are experienced interims to address them.”

The percentage of interims feeling optimistic or very optimistic per industry sector are as follows:

Financial Services 44%

Professional Services 43%

Manufacturing and Industry 38%

Technology, Media and Telecoms 37%

Business and Support 36%

Charity and Not for Profit 22%