In the current economic climate, cost management is top of mind for executives—so flexible leadership models like interim management and targeted executive search aren’t just smart, they’re essential.
The cost-control imperative
A recent Boston Consulting Group (BCG) study confirms that cost management remains a leading strategic priority for global business leaders, with approximately one in three executives placing it at the top of their agenda. Many are streamlining product portfolios or optimising supply chains, not just to cut costs, but to reinvest savings into technology, digital transformation, and talent development.
Interim management: cost-effective, fast, and impact-driven
Interim executives offer rapid, high-impact leadership, without the commitments or overhead of a permanent hire.
- Speed to deploy: Interim managers can be mobilised in days, compared to the 3-6 months often required to fill a permanent executive post.
- Operational leadership, not just advice: Interim professionals not only advise, they take the reins, lead staff, and drive projects to completion.
- Wide-ranging impact: They fill high-stakes roles (56% of interims are in C-suite positions) with a particularly strong demand for interim CFOs making up 54% of all interim C‑suite placements, up 46% year-on-year.
- Confidence and opportunity: According to the Institute of Interim Management’s 2025 report, 67% of interims experience assignment gaps of three months or less, demonstrating steady demand. However, sentiment is mixed, 75% expect no growth in the interim market over the next 12 months, and 39% foresee a market decline.
The hybrid advantage: flexibility meets precision
When organisations face sudden disruption, interim leaders can step in and provide immediate stability. They are able to make an impact from day one, keeping projects on track and ensuring critical decisions are not delayed. This flexibility is particularly valuable when budgets are under pressure, as interim solutions avoid the long-term commitments, benefits and severance packages associated with permanent hires.
At the same time, executive search remains central to building long-term capability. While interim leaders keep things moving, search allows organisations to identify and appoint individuals who are not only highly skilled but also culturally aligned with the business. In this way, interim management and executive search complement each other: one delivers the agility to respond quickly, while the other secures the stability needed for the future.
By combining both approaches, organisations can address immediate gaps without losing sight of their long-term objectives. This dual strategy provides resilience during uncertainty and creates a stronger foundation for sustainable growth.
How Aston Fisher can help
At Aston Fisher, we work with clients who are under pressure to deliver results quickly while also building for the future. Our interim management practice allows us to place experienced leaders into organisations at short notice, ensuring they can manage urgent priorities, deliver critical projects, or provide specialist expertise exactly when it is needed. These professionals are used to working at pace and thrive on delivering measurable impact in demanding situations.
Alongside this, our executive search team focuses on building leadership teams that are equipped for tomorrow’s challenges. We help organisations find permanent leaders who can drive strategy, inspire teams and sustain performance in the long term. The combination of these two services means our clients are not forced to choose between short-term agility and long-term stability. Instead, they can benefit from both: interims who deliver results today, and permanent executives who shape the organisation’s future.
This integrated approach is what sets Aston Fisher apart. We understand that leadership needs are rarely one-dimensional. By working with us, businesses gain access to a leadership solution that is flexible, precise and always aligned to their strategic goals.