The INIMA Report 2026.
Tensions in 2025
In 2025, European interim managers operated in a complex and uncertain market environment. The economy across much of Europe remained sluggish, while geopolitical tensions and the introduction of new trade tariffs created additional uncertainty for companies. These factors combined to produce a cautious business climate in which organizations became more selective when committing to new leadership assignments.
Against this backdrop, the interim management market responded accordingly. Overall, the survey results did not indicate a significant positive upturn during the year. Instead, the data suggested a gradual weakening across several key performance indicators for the profession.
The impact on interim managers was visible across the core market metrics. Respondents reported a general deterioration in day rates (-0.9%), utilization levels (-2.8%), and assignment duration (-0.8 months). Importantly, this pattern appeared consistently across different European countries, suggesting that the slowdown reflected broader macroeconomic conditions rather than isolated national dynamics.
Another important indicator of market conditions was the proportion of interim managers who began the year already on assignment. Historically, this indicator has proven to be a reliable forward signal of market momentum. The indicator remained at 62%, suggesting that a rapid recovery in 2026 was unlikely.
Respondents also reported that securing new assignments had become more difficult, reflecting longer sales cycles and more cautious client decision-making.
The survey further highlighted a shift in the profile of interim managers entering the market. The average age of practitioners increased, while the average level of interim management experience declined. This suggests that a growing number of managers are entering the interim profession later in their careers, often as a transition from corporate roles rather than after extensive prior interim experience.
The survey also confirmed the continued relevance of several structural themes already identified in previous editions. Interim managers identified continuous professional learning, the growing importance of artificial intelligence, and geopolitical uncertainty as key factors shaping the future environment in which they operate.
Finally, interim managers reported that although interim management has been established in Europe for more than 30 years, it is still not fully mainstream. The promotion of interim management therefore tends to be cyclical: as new generations of managers and owners emerge, the market must repeatedly explain what interim management is and communicate its distinctive features and benefits.
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