As I write this from my new temporary office at home, I have never felt more inspired by the fantastic work that the public sector has faced and dealt with during these unprecedented times.

Of course, the road ahead is long. But observing our public sector come together is truly uplifting. At Penna, we've helped local authorities through periods of uncertainty before and if you need us, we're here. We're also seeing how critical our interims are in this fight-back.

Understandably, recruitment processes have felt the effect of COVID-19. We are however noticing a demand for interim managers to help tackle this crisis.

Here's what trending in the interim world:

• Transformation programmes paused as resources are shifted to COVID-19 response;
• Focus on resilience, resource planning and management; creating potential capacity issues to deliver core services;
• Demand for Employee Relations, Communications and Emergency Planning interims;
• Finance requirements have been postponed, with closure of accounts being moved to 31 August;
• Finance and HR playing a critical role in ensuring key workers are supported and
• Statutory social care feeling the pinch from increased demand .

For councils, and at Penna, we are embracing working remotely. Interim managers are fundamentally used to digital working, and delivering complex projects out-of-the-office. Our interims are already vital in supporting organisations to deliver core services and leading on response programmes to COVID-19.

It seems that expertise at the end of a phone, email or video call is as good as in person after all.

Matthew Jones is an Interim Consultant at Penna

matthew.jones@penna.com