How did you get into Interim Management?
My first role after graduating was as a graduated trainee accountant for a FTSE 100 business. I decided to pursue a career in recruitment in 2000 and worked for Harvey Nash and ECHM where I recruited contractors for a variety of public and private sector organisations. I saw an increasing need for businesses using interim managers to plan and manage change and was keen to be involved in one of the fastest growing recruitment industry sectors. I have been with Interim Partners for over a year now and have focused on recruiting interims for the NHS and private healthcare organisations and have been fortunate to work with some excellent interim managers and clients.
What do you find most satisfying about your career
I am fortunate to work with interim managers who have made a real impact in the industries they have worked in. Introducing these talented individuals to organisations is a real buzz for me. Another bonus is that the variety of roles I work on ensures that I am constantly getting an understanding of the ever changing issues that affect the healthcare industry.
What qualities do you look for in an interim management candidate?
Interim Partners and my reputation is determined by the quality of the interim managers we deliver to our clients. This is why it is important we meet our interims to ensure that they have the ability to deliver for us and our clients and in essence fly the ‘Interim Partners flag’ when completing an assignment through us. The main quality I look for is somebody with a proven track record of success and delivered beyond the expectations of their clients throughout their interim career.
How can clients get the most out of working with IP?
Communication is the key for clients getting the most out of working with Interim Partners. When discussing an assignment with us the client should be clear on what it is they would like an interim to achieve in order to be successful. By communicating goals effectively it greatly improves our ability and that of our interims to meet clients’ requirements.
What would you say are the key challenges for your clients in the Healthcare sector? How can Interim Management help?
The healthcare sector faces unprecedented challenges. There is an increased demand for health services, rising costs, uneven quality of services in different regions and often misaligned incentives. The creation of a patient led NHS and ongoing reform agenda require healthcare organisations to continually develop to achieve world class excellence in their core roles. Sometimes the sector lacks the expertise to meet these challenges and this is where the industry can exploit the flexible resource offered by interim management. Interim managers are talented, results driven people who have a dedication to leading change and making a difference in relatively short timescales. We have successfully resourced interim managers for a variety of healthcare organisations to plan and deliver change, improve organisational efficiency and ultimately the health outcomes of the population. With demands on healthcare organisations continually changing, interim managers will continue to be used as a cost effective and positive way to obtain highly specialised skills when they are needed most.
Favourite destination?
New York has to be the best short break destination I have been too. For a longer trip there is something magical about India.
Best restaurant/favourite food?
I love Indian and thai cuisine… Generally anything with a spicy kick to it.
Which three people would you have round for dinner?
Jesus Christ, Plato and Buddha
Three favourite albums/artists?
My CD collection is huge and my music choices change regularly but the current three albums which get most plays on my ipod are, Urban Hymns - The Verve, Exodus – Bob Marley and Resist – Kosheen.
What are you currently reading?
The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe
