An Overview

Board level Interim Management, titled Interim Executive Management, originated in the UK some 10 years ago. Examples of its application include

• Crisis / Turnaround
• Acquisition management
• Sudden departure
• Privatisation
• Uncertain future
• Accelerating momentum
• Close down / Sell off
• Start up
• Mentoring / Development

BIE / Board-level Interim Executive is now established as one of the most experienced Interim Executive provider teams in the UK, and has operated in this specialised field since 1990 ('the very early days'). Over a period of ten years or so, approximately 1,000 successful placements have been made, likely the highest number of senior level Interim placements made by any team in the UK. The assignments cover all sectors and functional heads, and range from Group Finance Executive roles in £2 billion PLC's to Managing Directors of small family businesses or major public sector bodies.

The success of Interim Executive Management is critically dependent on the correct match of candidate to assignment need. To ensure this happens the following stages of selection occur :

• An ongoing preliminary filtering process takes place to identify a core of potential candidates for BIE's Register. Some 15,000 potential candidates have been interviewed/vetted for their applicability to a career as an Interim. BIE's active 'bloodbank' of Interims available for assignments operates at only a few hundred, as they tend to be a rare breed. It is a source of talent which requires continual replenishment to match growing and extended market demand.
  
• After developing an assignment brief with the Client, potential and available candidates are identified from this 'bloodbank'. One/two short-listed candidates are then presented. BIE also prefer to attend the interview. In essence BIE's role is more akin to a partner from a consultancy practice introducing an operating consultant than a recruitment agency offering a number of CV's. BIE then keep a watching brief over the assignment and audit on completion.

Martin Wood Managing Director BIE/Board-level interim executive

Using the operational methodology outlined above ensures BIE's current 'fill rate' (i.e. a quality, acceptable candidate found within a timescale averaging 10 to 15 days or less) is met over 97% of the time. Providing preferred methods/processes are followed, client requirements are successfully matched after presentation of no more than one or two candidates for 85% of assignments, with the majority requiring only one introduction. This is achieved through BIE's consultants personally carrying out the matching process based on a number of years' experience in this field (i.e. without third party researcher involvement). The consultants have experience of managing a substantial number of wide-ranging assignments and have detailed knowledge of the individual candidates presented.

Access to quality candidates is clearly very critical to the success of the service. Because of BIE's length of time in the business and professional reputation, they feel that they have met and know the majority of successful career Interim Executives in the UK and some based abroad. This network also provides a source of other referred potential Interims.

Over recent years BIE has gained preferred supplier status for a number of plc's, private and public organisations and major venture capital companies.

For further information please contact MARTIN WOOD on 020 7222 1010.