Interim & Fractional CEO and Managing Director

Q: How quickly can an interim CEO start?

It depends on the situation and the experience required. Interim Chief Executives who have just finished an assignment can sometimes start within weeks. We will give you a realistic view at the start of the search.

Q: Can an interim CEO become the permanent CEO?

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 run a full search alongside the interim assignment.

Q: Can you handle the appointment confidentially?

Yes. Many changes at the top need discretion, particularly where the current Chief Executive is still in post. We run these searches confidentially from the start.

Q: What is a fractional Managing Director?

A fractional Managing Director leads a business part time on an ongoing basis, usually alongside a capable management team. This can suit smaller businesses, subsidiaries and owner-managed firms.

Proven leadership at the top of the business, when the board needs it

Interim CEO and Managing Director Executive Search

When the top job is empty, or needs to change, the whole business feels it.

A Chief Executive leaves suddenly. Performance has fallen and the board has lost confidence in the current direction. A sale, merger or change of ownership needs steady leadership through to completion.

An interim CEO or Managing Director gives the board experienced leadership straight away. They stabilise the business, make the decisions that cannot wait and give the board time to appoint the right permanent leader.

Novo finds interim and fractional Chief Executives and Managing Directors for privately owned, PE-backed and not-for-profit organisations, and handles every appointment with discretion.

Chief Executive Specialist

Dale Perrett

Founding Director

Facing a change at the top?

Speak in confidence with one of our Founding Directors.

Call now

Email now

Chief Executive Specialist

Jon Hollier

Founding Director

Facing a change at the top?

Speak in confidence with one of our Founding Directors.

Call now

Email now

Chief Executive Specialist

George Woodward

Director

Facing a change at the top?

Speak in confidence with one of our Founding Directors.

Call now

Email now

Experienced leadership at the top, when it matters most

Book a confidential discussion with one of our Executive Search Directors

Discuss an Interim CEO Appointment

When Boards Appoint an Interim CEO or Managing Director

Common situations include:

The Chief Executive or Managing Director leaves at short notice
Performance needs to improve quickly
A turnaround or restructuring is underway

A sale, merger or change of ownership is in progress
The board needs time to define the permanent role
A permanent executive search is underway

Some changes at the top need to be handled confidentially. Read our guide on how boards approach confidential leadership changes.

What an Interim CEO Does in the First Weeks

The first weeks set the tone for staff, customers and investors.

Stabilises the business: Clear communication with staff, customers, lenders and investors.

Agrees the mandate: Priorities and success measures, set with the Chair and board.

Takes the decisions that cannot wait: On cash, people, customers and operations.

Plans the handover: A clear route to the permanent appointment, whether that is an internal successor or an external hire.

Fractional Managing Directors

Not every business needs a full-time Chief Executive.

Some smaller businesses, subsidiaries and portfolio companies need senior leadership a few days a week. A fractional Managing Director can lead the business alongside a capable management team, while the owners or the group focus elsewhere.

This can suit an owner stepping back from day-to-day leadership, or a subsidiary that needs its own senior leader without a full-time appointment.

Testimonials

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 brought real market knowledge and identified leaders who matched both our
operational and cultural requirements to appoint a new CEO. I would gladly
recommend their executive search expertise.

Chief Executive Officer, International Contract Logistics Provider

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

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

How We Find Interim Chief Executives

Few interim Chief Executives have led a business through the situation you face, and the best are often already on assignment. We track their availability through long-standing relationships.

Brief: We agree the situation, the mandate and what the board will judge success on.

Search: We approach interim Chief Executives and Managing Directors who have handled comparable turnarounds, transactions or departures.

Shortlist: We assess each candidate’s record of delivery, availability and fit with the board.

Appointment and support: We manage the process through to start date, and can run a permanent CEO search alongside the interim assignment.

Read our board-level guide to hiring a CEO.

Our Chief Executive Specialists

Matthew Searle

View Bio

Dale Perrett

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George Woodward

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Jon Hollier

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Interim & Fractional CEO and Managing Director

Interim CEO and Managing Director Executive Search

Facing a change at the top?

Facing a change at the top?

Facing a change at the top?

Experienced leadership at the top, when it matters most

When Boards Appoint an Interim CEO or Managing Director

What an Interim CEO Does in the First Weeks

Fractional Managing Directors

Testimonials

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.

Novo brought real market knowledge and identified leaders who matched both our operational and cultural requirements to appoint a new CEO. I would gladly recommend their executive search expertise.

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.

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.

How We Find Interim Chief Executives

Our Chief Executive Specialists

Dale Perrett

George Woodward

Jon Hollier

Matthew Searle

Related Case Studies

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

Need experienced leadership at the top?

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Interim CEO and MD FAQs

Novo brought real market knowledge and identified leaders who matched both our
operational and cultural requirements to appoint a new CEO. I would gladly
recommend their executive search expertise.