Looking to hire an interim leader? Here’s why you should use an Interim Search Provider  

Interim leadership can often be a practical solution when vacancies arise; interim leaders are not just there to “keep the seat warm”. They are outcome focused professionals who step into senior roles at short notice, bringing hard won experience from across the sector, and delivering measurable results within a defined timeframe. The right interim can stabilise a situation, lead change, and create the conditions for successful long-term progress. 

It is essential when looking for interim leaders that you define outcomes clearly at the start with a measurable brief, ensuring they are given the right access and authority to deliver, and that you do not conflate consultancy with interim management. Consultants diagnose and recommend, whereas interims are typically involved with management, leadership and delivery.  

Once you have the right brief, what’s next? You could go it alone and source interim leaders through your networks or advertising within your networks, LinkedIn, and other job platforms. While internal networks and LinkedIn searches can surface some options, they rarely capture the full range of talent available. Using an interim leadership provider often means you can access a wider pool of potential interim candidates, with assurance and speed, without omitting rigour and due diligence.  

Advantages of working with an interim executive search partner: 

• Market reach and fresh research. We conduct a new survey of the market for every assignment, going beyond our expansive and already established networks. This identifies rising talent, experienced professionals who may not be visible online, and individuals from adjacent sectors who bring transferable skills. It ensures you always have access to the widest and most relevant pool of candidates by combining existing and new talent pools. 
• Speed and structure. Interim roles move at pace, but pace doesn’t need to mean risk. Our process balances urgency with rigour: role definition, benchmarking, structured interviewing and tailored reference checks all carried out quickly and thoroughly. Institutions can move fast while remaining confident in the appointment. 
• Advice on engagement and governance. Interims can be engaged on day rates, fixed term contracts or project-based agreements. Each has advantages depending on objectives, budget and institutional processes. We can advise on the best model, ensuring clarity of deliverables and protecting the university from cost drift. 

Why partner with Anderson Quigley for interim executive search: 

Our interim practice combines deep sector expertise with disciplined executive search principles. For every assignment, we: 

• Conduct fresh market research alongside our extensive network; 
• Deliver fast but rigorous shortlists tested against cultural fit and delivery capability; 
• Advise on the most effective engagement model; 
• Remain involved throughout the assignment and afterwards to ensure objectives are being met; 
• Look at both the obvious choices and beyond, actively identifying leaders from underrepresented backgrounds, adjacent sectors and pipelining talented permanent leaders into making the ‘interim leap’.  

This mix of reach, speed, rigour and ongoing support means our clients can appoint with confidence, even under pressure. Working with a trusted search partner ensures you find the right leader, quickly and with confidence. 

When time is short and the stakes are high, the quality of the appointment matters more than ever. That is why using executive search for interim leadership delivers real value. 

Executive Search’s Role in Higher Education’s Success

In 2019, Akhil joined Anderson Quigley to provide support in identifying candidates for time-critical interim leadership positions within the Higher Education and Not-for-Profit sectors. Since then, his remit has expanded to include both interim and permanent appointments, and over the last five years, he has played a pivotal role in enhancing Anderson Quigley’s influence within both public and private Higher Education. As of 2025, he has successfully led and executed over 250 interim and permanent leadership and executive appointments, contributing to the growth and development of more than 100 Higher Education Institutions.

With a strong passion for constructing diverse leadership and executive teams from the top down, especially for organisations seeking change and transformation, Akhil is committed to further expanding AQ’s presence in the UK and beyond. His remit encompasses both academic and professional services leadership roles, and he finds particular satisfaction in identifying and appointing candidates with developmental potential to become the forward-thinking leaders of tomorrow.

If you’d like to discuss how interim leaders could support with your challenges, please contact Akhil Yerneni, Partner within our Interim Leadership team, by emailing akhil.yerneni@andersonquigley.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.