More than half (54%) of firms are increasingly looking to bring in interim managers over hiring a traditional PR consultancy, according to a survey by Interim Performers and The Counsel House.

The survey shows that 60% of firms have used, or are considering using, an interim manager as a way of strengthening their own in-house corporate communications or PR team.

The survey also shows that the top three reasons for interim assignments arising are ‘gap filling’ during a permanent recruitment process (cited by 28% of respondents), boosting the internal team’s strategic expertise (18%) and providing cover for a key employee on maternity or sick leave (15%).

Jules Shelley, a senior consultant at Interim Performers, says: “Market sentiment appears to be improving, but we expect corporates and interims to remain flexible in their approach and with regard to rates. The fact that experienced interim communicators are increasingly being sought for project work reflects wider market trends towards cost cutting and the need to use smarter resourcing solutions.”