Interim CEO

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is an Interim CEO?

  An interim CEO is a highly experienced and results-oriented leader who is hired to lead an organization for a limited period of time. Unlike a permanent CEO, an interim solution focuses on quickly addressing a specific challenge, stabilizing operations, or driving a critical change project. It is a flexible and powerful resource for securing leadership when it is needed most.

• What guarantees do you offer if the match isn't perfect?

  We understand that appointing a CEO is business critical. That's why we offer our unique Legal consultant guarantee. If, contrary to expectations, you are not satisfied with the interim CEO we have appointed, we will replace the consultant free of charge. We will also cover the cost of training the new consultant. This provides you with security, ensuring that you always have the leadership you need to succeed.

• Why is an external interim CEO often better than temporarily promoting an internal candidate?

  Promoting an internal leader may seem like a simple solution, but an external interim CEO offers several unique advantages, especially in challenging situations:

  • Objectivity: An external leader is not bound by internal history or politics and can make the necessary decisions with a fresh and impartial perspective.

  • Specialist experience: You bring in someone who has documented experience of precisely the situation you find yourself in, whether it is a turnaround, an expansion phase, or integration following an acquisition.

  • Focus and drive: An interim CEO has a single focus: to deliver on their assignment. They can act with full force without having to balance it with a previous area of responsibility.

  • Reduces internal unrest: This creates a clear temporary solution without disrupting the internal hierarchy or creating uncertainty about who the long-term successor will be.

• Can we hire our interim CEO permanently after the assignment ends?

  Yes, it does happen that a successful interim assignment turns into a permanent position if all parties agree. The majority of our consultants have actively chosen a career as interim managers, but we are always open to finding the best long-term solution for you. If such a situation arises, we handle the transition in dialogue with you and the consultant, usually for an agreed recruitment fee.

• How do you handle discretion and confidentiality in a sensitive CEO appointment?

  We have a strict confidentiality policy and proven processes for handling the most sensitive appointments. Our 10-day process is specifically designed for this purpose. In these cases, we work with anonymous job descriptions and candidates sign confidentiality agreements before their identities are revealed. The integrity and confidentiality of your organization is our highest priority throughout the entire process.