The economic downturn is raising demand for experienced HR interim managers.

This is according to research from HR resourcing outfit, Ochre House.

“Demand is up by nearly 10% on this time last year,” said director of HR resourcing Louise Davies. “In fact I’d say it’s higher than I have ever seen in a career in this area which goes back over 20 years.

“HR directors seem to have been winning the battle to convince their boards that they provide real value, particularly at the bottom line, but are now finding that headcounts are becoming restricted due to nervousness about the future. They are consequently turning to interims to get round this and to parachute in high levels of expertise.”

Despite soaring demand – pay rates appear to be flat lining at an average of £500 to £550 per day, the same levels as last year.

HR Zone recently reported on similar findings by Chiumento consultancy which found that organisations are now so lean they’ve lost key skills and talents and are looking to interims to fill the gap.