Financial pressures, challenges for businesses, impacted communities and lockdowns. Add COVID-19 to the mix, and that completes one the most challenging years on record.

However, local authorities have shown an incredible level of resilience and flexibility during this crisis. Interim managers have been at the heart of it, but the landscape has changed.

Home-based working, which previously might have been a luxury, has now become commonplace. The phrase ‘you're on mute' has become part of our working lives.

Virtual interviews have provided new food for thought, in terms of interview preparation and presentation. Even the most experienced interim manager, can fall victim to poor broadband connection, technical issues or a barking dog.

The interim market has been very mixed. During the first lockdown, we saw a demand for crisis management support – particularly HR and communications, while support for large change programmes, regeneration and infrastructure schemes were understandably paused. This has not deterred new interims from entering the market.

There has been movement at senior level. Factors around this vary. From restructures, the exit pay cap, unfortunate casualties of cost-saving plans or simply wanting to try something new.

During the second lockdown, authorities were better equipped to deal with the challenging circumstances. As a result, we have seen much more movement in the market this time around. But for interim management it's been a year like no other.

George Agyemang is senior consultant in the Penna interim team

George.agyemang@penna.com