More than six in 10 (61%) interims claim cutting costs is the biggest issue facing their most recent employer, according to a survey from independent interim provider Alium Partners.

Despite this, 64% believe that 2010 could provide transformational opportunities for many organisations.  

Interims predict skills in programme management (42%), finance (41%) and business development and marketing (36%) to be in demand.
 
Nick Robeson, chief executive of Alium Partners, says: “With the recovery likely to be protracted, and with the potential for a double-dip recession, businesses will need to continue taking out as much cost as possible. At the same time, they must ensure they have the right agility to maximise growth opportunities.  
“This is a fine balancing act, requiring considerable skill to ensure that cost cutting initiatives do not become value destruction exercises; typically more companies fail during recovery than downturn because they do not have the resources in place to manage growth.”