As the first quarter comes to a close, the interim and temporary market across East Anglia continues to show resilience and strong demand. At Rutherford Briant Recruitment, we are seeing increased activity across all our specialisms including Accountancy, Finance, IT, Technology, Marketing and Sales.
We have seen a drastic demand across the healthcare, construction and professional services sectors, as businesses are increasingly seeking experienced professionals to provide critical support during periods of transition and change.
Key Trends in the Market
The last 6 months have seen a surge in demand for interim finance professionals, particularly at management and leadership levels. This trend aligns with national data, which has shown an 87% increase in interim finance placements year-on-year. Companies are turning to interim talent to drive financial strategy, navigate regulatory changes and manage budgetary pressures.
Example: Interim Finance Director – Central Essex - £100 million Construction Business
Following the resignation of their Financial Controller, this business needed immediate cover to take over the day-to-day activity and to hold the fort whilst a permanent appointment was made. Within two days, the role was filled, easing the pressure of permanent recruitment and ensuring a smooth handover. This allowed the senior leadership team to take their time finding the right permanent hire.
Key Roles in Demand Across the Technology Sector
Our latest market insights highlight a significant uptick in the hiring of interim IT Service Delivery Managers and incredibly niche positions, as businesses kick-off their digital transformation projects.
Example: Interim Organisational Change Manager – National - £600 million Distribution Business
Following some legislation changes in the sector and an internal digital transformation, this business needed to recruit an Organisational Change & IT Delivery Manager to enable the business to look at processes, systems and implement a new tracking system to be compliant with the legislation.
We were quickly able to offer immediately available options within similar industries, the 1st & 2nd stage interviews were conducted quickly and candidates started within 2 weeks of agreement.
Sector-Specific Opportunities
- Professional Services: Firms are actively seeking interim Auditors and Tax professionals to support busy seasons, urgent legislation changes and overall demand for staff, due to talent shortages.
- Manufacturing & Engineering: The demand for interim Financial Controllers and Commercial Finance Managers has grown, as businesses look to streamline operations and manage supply chain challenges.
- Technology & SaaS: Start-ups and scale-ups in the tech sector are increasingly utilising interim IT and marketing professionals to support investment rounds, return of investment, and rapid expansion strategies.
- Construction & Real Estate: With ongoing development projects and infrastructure investments, businesses in this sector require interim professionals to oversee project-based financial planning and risk management.
Recent Interim Appointments in East Anglia
Interim Credit Controller, Suffolk: Supporting a logistics business who were experiencing a large backlog of debt due to a system implementation going wrong and required urgent assistance.
Interim Head of Marketing, Cambridge: Partnering a high-growth technology firm, managing brand strategy, digital marketing and customer engagement.
Interim Head of Technology and Organisational Change, Essex: Leading the IT function for a professional services firm, driving cloud migration, software development and digital innovation.
What This Means for Employers
If your business is facing financial restructuring, leadership gaps, or seasonal demand fluctuations, now is the time to explore the benefits of the interim market. Interim professionals offer immediate expertise, helping to bridge critical gaps and drive business performance.
Looking for Expert Interim Finance Talent?
At Rutherford Briant Recruitment, we specialise in connecting businesses with top-tier interim talent and temporary professionals across East Anglia. Whether you need a qualified accountant, an experienced Marketing professional to help increase ROI or an IT expert to help with an ERP implementation, our specialist team is here to help.
To discuss your hiring needs, get in touch with us today!