Interim & Fractional Leadership

Q: What is the difference between interim and fractional executives?

Interim executives work full time for a fixed period to deliver a specific outcome, such as covering a departure or leading a turnaround. Fractional executives work part time on an ongoing basis, often one to three days a week, giving a business senior experience it does not yet need full time.

Q: How quickly can an interim executive start?

Experienced interim executives often move between assignments, so many are available at short notice. The timeframe depends on the brief, the experience required and the candidate’s current commitments. We will give you a realistic view at the start of the search.

Q: How much does an interim executive cost?

Interim executives usually work on a daily rate, which varies with seniority, sector and complexity. Senior appointments often range from £700 to £1,500+ per day. We will discuss realistic rates for your situation early in the process.

Q: Can an interim role become permanent?

Sometimes. Some boards use an interim appointment to see a leader in the role before making a permanent decision. Where a permanent appointment is the goal, we can also run a full executive search alongside the interim assignment.

Q: Do you work with PE-backed businesses?

Yes. We work with investors, operating partners and portfolio company boards. See our page on interim and fractional leadership for PE-backed companies.

Experienced interim and fractional leaders, in place when your business needs them

Experienced Leadership When the Business Cannot Wait

Some leadership requirements cannot wait for a permanent search to run its course.

A Finance Director leaves at short notice. An investor wants a stronger operational lead within weeks. A transformation programme needs someone who has done it before. A growing business needs board-level finance input, but not full time.

Novo provides interim and fractional executives for these situations. Interim executives join full time for a defined period, with a clear mandate. Fractional executives join part time, often one to three days a week, and stay for as long as the business needs them.

Both give you senior capability without the delay or commitment of a permanent appointment. Both are found through the same research-led executive search process we use for board appointments.

Interim Specialist

Dale Perrett

Founding Director

Need senior leadership in place quickly?

Speak in confidence with one of our specialists about the situation and the leader it needs.

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Interim Specialist

Jo Watkins

Director

Need senior leadership in place quickly?

Speak in confidence with one of our specialists about the situation and the leader it needs.

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Interim Specialist

Susannah Mallaghan

Division Manager novoElan

Need senior leadership in place quickly?

Speak in confidence with one of our specialists about the situation and the leader it needs.

Call now

Email now

Discuss an interim or fractional appointment

Book a confidential discussion with one of our Executive Search Directors

Discuss an Interim Requirement

Interim Case Studies

Our interim assignments show how experienced executives can provide leadership during change, investment and unexpected transition.

Interim Engineering Director Brings Clear Accountability at Energy Power Resources

Interim Director of Stakeholder Engagement Strengthens Industry Communication at RECCo

Interim Commercial Director Keeps Customer Relationships on Track at apetito

Appointing an Interim HR Director to Steady an International Hospitality Group

Appointing an Interim CMO to Focus Marketing Leadership at Touchstone Education

Stable Interim Leadership for CSET in the Education Trust Sector

Interim Managing Director Keeps Priorities on Track at Alumasc Water Management Solutions

Interim Managing Director Gives the Business Behind Vantablack Clear Direction

Interim General Manager Appointment Maintains Momentum at CELOX Medical

Strong Finance Leadership for Welsh Dairy Co-operative South Caernarfon Creameries

Interim HR Director Brings Stability to the People Function at Southern Co-op

Interim Finance Director Appointment Brings Experienced Oversight to Apogee in Paris

Appointing an Interim R&D Director to Keep Product Development on Track at Magstim

Appointing an Interim COO to Stabilise and Scale a High-Growth Software Business

Strengthening a Biotech Business for IPO Through Interim CFO Leadership

Appointing an Interim MD to Stabilise and Restructure an Engineering & Manufacturing Business

Stabilising Operations at a Critical Moment: Interim Leadership for a Major International Airport

Interim Engineering Director Brings Clear Accountability at Energy Power Resources

Interim Director of Stakeholder Engagement Strengthens Industry Communication at RECCo

Interim Commercial Director Keeps Customer Relationships on Track at apetito

Appointing an Interim HR Director to Steady an International Hospitality Group

Appointing an Interim CMO to Focus Marketing Leadership at Touchstone Education

Stable Interim Leadership for CSET in the Education Trust Sector

Interim Managing Director Keeps Priorities on Track at Alumasc Water Management Solutions

Interim Managing Director Gives the Business Behind Vantablack Clear Direction

Interim General Manager Appointment Maintains Momentum at CELOX Medical

Strong Finance Leadership for Welsh Dairy Co-operative South Caernarfon Creameries

Interim HR Director Brings Stability to the People Function at Southern Co-op

Interim Finance Director Appointment Brings Experienced Oversight to Apogee in Paris

Appointing an Interim R&D Director to Keep Product Development on Track at Magstim

Appointing an Interim COO to Stabilise and Scale a High-Growth Software Business

Strengthening a Biotech Business for IPO Through Interim CFO Leadership

Appointing an Interim MD to Stabilise and Restructure an Engineering & Manufacturing Business

Stabilising Operations at a Critical Moment: Interim Leadership for a Major International Airport

Interim or Fractional: Which Do You Need?

The two are often confused. They solve different problems.

Interim executives work full time for a fixed period, usually several months. They are appointed to deliver a specific outcome: stabilise a function, lead a turnaround, cover a sudden departure or hold the role while a permanent search runs.

Fractional executives work part time on an ongoing basis. They give a growing or investor-backed business the board-level experience it needs but cannot yet justify full time. A fractional CFO might work two days a week for a year or more.

Some situations need both. A business may appoint an interim CFO to stabilise the finance function, then move to a fractional arrangement once the immediate pressure has passed.

Find out more about fractional leadership, including the roles we fill and how it works.

When Boards Bring in Interim or Fractional Leaders

Most requirements begin when something changes.

A senior executive leaves unexpectedly
The business secures investment or changes ownership
Performance needs to improve quickly

A turnaround or restructuring is underway
An acquisition needs integrating
A transformation programme needs specialist experience
Growth has created a gap the current team cannot cover
A permanent executive search is underway

Organisations rarely say they need an interim. More commonly, they say:

We need someone in post next month
We need experience we do not have in the team
We cannot justify a full-time CFO yet
We need to steady things while we find the right permanent appointment

How We Find Interim and Fractional Executives

We balance pace with rigour.

Brief: We start with the situation, not just the job title. What needs to change, by when, and how the board will measure success.

Search: We identify executives with relevant experience through our research team and established networks.

Shortlist: We assess each candidate against the brief, including their record of delivery, their availability and how they will work with your team.

Appointment: We manage the process through to start date, including terms and the handover.

Support: We stay in touch through the assignment and can run a permanent search alongside it if needed.

Interim Roles

We find interim and fractional leaders across the board and senior management team.

Interim Sectors

We bring sector and market experience to every interim and fractional brief.

Not sure which model fits? Read our guide Interim, Fractional or Permanent?

Why Partner
with Novo

For more than two decades, Novo has helped boards appoint senior leaders at important moments. Interim and fractional appointments use the same research, networks and judgement as our permanent executive searches.

We take time to understand your business and what success looks like. We introduce leaders who fit, then stay close throughout the assignment. Focused on outcomes. Focused on value.

Our Interim & Fractional Specialists

Jo Watkins

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Susannah Mallaghan

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Dale Perrett

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Testimonials

Novo identified an interim CFO who combined deep sector expertise with reassuring emotional intelligence. Their impact was immediate, governance strengthened, our equity story sharpened and teams felt more prepared for the scrutiny ahead.

Interim CFO, Pre-IPO Biotech

Novo introduced an interim COO who stabilised the business without slowing momentum. They aligned our teams, improved delivery discipline and restored customer trust. The organisation now operates with clarity and confidence.

Interim COO, High-Tech Software Company

Our interim HR director was a transformational presence. Novo understood the cultural challenges we faced and delivered someone who brought warmth, structure and credibility. Morale lifted, training improved and the organisation began to feel connected again.

Interim HR Director, International Hospitality Group

The interim MD provided by Novo was thoughtful, steady and highly effective. They handled a sensitive restructuring process with empathy and discipline, helping us stabilise performance while rebuilding trust across the organisation.

Interim Managing Director, Engineering & Manufacturing Business

Novo delivered exactly what we needed at a moment of real pressure. The interim operations director brought calm, clarity and genuine support to our teams. Confidence returned quickly and the airport regained its rhythm far sooner than we expected.

Interim Operations Director, International Airport

Are you an experienced interim or fractional executive?

Join Our Interim Network

Insights

Interim CFO or Fractional CFO: Which Does Your Business Need?

Why PE Portfolio Companies Are Turning to Interim CFOs

After a Cyber Incident: When to Bring in Interim Security Leadership

Interim CFO or Fractional CFO: Which Does Your Business Need?

Why PE Portfolio Companies Are Turning to Interim CFOs

After a Cyber Incident: When to Bring in Interim Security Leadership