We are now well into 2025, and the Russam team is busy talking with Chairmen, CEOs, and other C-suite leaders about their businesses and, specifically, the economic climate.

The topic of the government increasing employers’ NI contributions and reducing the NI threshold, along with other employment costs, comes up regularly. We see many signs of putting the brakes on permanent hiring even before the changes come in. In a recent survey, 70% of Russam’s clients in the charities sector stated that they expect to recruit fewer Permanent staff in 2025.

We now have the Bank of England Report showing:

1. Weaker growth – by half
2. Rising unemployment
3. Higher inflation

The specific state on “Interim Managers & Senior Contractors” paints a mixed picture. 47% of our Russam clients say they will hire fewer Senior Contractors and Interim Managers in 2025. And 54% of our Interim Managers (we have 25,000+ of them in our Talent Pool) are feeling negative about the state of the market (Dec ’24).

BUT . . . 26% plan to hire more Interim Managers & Senior Contractors (so 54% will hire more or the same; we see gravitation towards this more flexible way of bringing in resources and expertise).  

We think it is a great time to bring in Interim Management resources.

1. Specialised Expertise
   Interim managers bring specialist skills and experience in areas such as financial recovery, digital transformation, fundraising, organisational development, and operational restructuring.

2. Cost-Effective Leadership
   Hiring an interim manager is a short-term, flexible solution that avoids the long-term commitment and costs associated with permanent hires. It isn’t as expensive as people often think. The resource can be “turned on and turned off”

3. Crisis Management
   Interim managers are adept at steering organisations through challenging periods, such as economic downturns, staff turnover, or surges in service demand.

4. Programme & Project Management
   Interim managers are often used to run specific projects such as strategic reviews, implementing systems, or real estate audits.

Interim managers hit the ground running, provide immediate solutions and leadership at critical times, and offer an objective perspective, enabling them to make tough decisions quickly. Many work part-time, and sometimes, they become permanent.

Russam is the longest-established interim management provider in the UK and has been helping businesses when they need it most for over 40 years. As leaders in providing interim managers to charities and an impact-focused B Corporation, we often make the difference between an organisation thriving or barely surviving. With an interim talent pool of around 25,000, we are well-placed to identify the talent you need.

If you would like to have a conversation with us about how we might help your charity, contact hq@russam.co.uk

Russam – Enabling organisations and individuals to thrive through interim management and executive search. https://russam.co.uk/services/interim-management/

Author: Jason Atkinson – Managing Director