Interim Management in Malmö
Director Martin Edqvist at Interim Search gave a presentation on Interim Management for around forty managers in the Malmö area in November. The interim market in Malmö and the rest of Sweden has grown significantly in recent years, a development that mirrors the European market in countries such as England and Germany. A clear trend that has emerged from the growth of the interim market is that the consulting market has broadened and, by extension, the range of expertise offered to customers. Today, interim management is used to a greater extent beyond traditional financial roles, and services have become even more specialized. At the time of writing, we are seeing, for example, an increased need for interim consultants in supply chain and strategic purchasing.
Interim Search started out as a Stockholm-based interim agency that has successfully established itself in Gothenburg and Gävle. The Malmö office, led by Martin Edqvist, opened earlier this year, but the company has already made several appointments in the region. In 2022, Interim Search has appointed a Change Manager in IT and a CFO in Helsingborg, a Quality Manager, a Quality Assurance Specialist, and an Operations Coordinator in Lund, as well as a CFO, a Nordic Finance Manager, a Project Manager Finance, and a Cash Manager in Malmö. We took the opportunity to exchange a few words with Martin after his much-appreciated presentation.
Hi Martin! What are the most common questions when you present Interim Search to a new audience?
There are always a ton of questions after a presentation like this, which I totally welcome. Common questions include what the market looks like for interim consultants, what roles we usually fill, how we and the customer charge for our services, and whether we also work with specialist roles, which we definitely do.
What interim roles are you currently working on?
Right now, I am assisting clients with a Chief Product Officer in consumer electronics, a Supply Chain Manager in the industrial sector, a Strategic Purchaser for a global industrial company, an Executive Assistant for a large Swedish group with a newly appointed CEO, and a Site Controller for a company in the pharmaceutical industry. Traditionally, there has often been demand for roles in finance such as CFOs, finance managers, controllers, and accounting economists, but today we don't really see any gaps and are appointing consultants to all positions in management teams and two levels below. In addition, we are seeing more growth roles in sustainability, transformation, and digitalization, where clients often lack the expertise within their own companies and therefore choose to bring in experienced interim consultants to drive the necessary projects.
How can a business leader benefit from having an interim supplier?
There are so many situations when a interim solution is the best option. This could be, for example, to initiate and drive change and development, or to cover for someone who is unavailable for various reasons. One interim consultant contributes new knowledge, extensive experience from other organizations, high energy levels, and a strong work ethic. An effort that not only solves a temporary need but also creates value that remains after the interim consultant has left the company.
What lessons could you share with new interim consultants in the audience?
Something that is very important as an interim consultant in this market is to ensure that you have an up-to-date CV tailored to consulting, with the last ten years taking up most of the space. It is important to clearly and concisely highlight your background and skills so that we can quickly match you with the right assignment. Be clear about your core competencies and highlight your business and system knowledge. Write them clearly in your CV, as we often search for keywords in CRM systems when researching specific assignments. Also, be visible in the market and ensure that your CV matches your LinkedIn profile. Ensure that you are registered with an interim supplier with assignments that match your profile and geography.
What is the consulting market in Skåne like in terms of expertise?
After this year at Interim Search, I can say that it looks very promising. There are many talented interim consultants in the region with expertise and experience from all kinds of industries.
Please contact Martin for a confidential discussion about interim management. He can be reached at martin.edqvist@interimsearch.com or 070 555 26 32.
