New research unveils the reasons for hiring interim marketing and communications professionals. The ‘Bridging the Gap’ report, a survey carried out by international recruitment specialist for communications, VMAGroup, reveals that almost a third (32%) of interim assignments are focused on business change programmes.

The report also shows that IR35 legislation, a tax law designed to combat tax avoidance by workers supplying their services to clients via an intermediary, will influence the size of the interim communications and marketing talent pool, when applied to the private sector. For that reason, 75% of interim professionals are against the IR35 legislation rollout into the private sector, 56% express their desire to continue contracting on a day rate basis even after the introduction of IR35 legislation, 23% of respondents say they’ll keep on contracting on fixed term contracts and 21% are considering returning to permanent employment.

VMAGroup’s report shows that in the next year, the constant struggle to stay on top of technology in the digital world, marketing uncertainty and restricted resources will be the main challenges interim communications and marketing professionals will have to face.

Andy Macleod, associate director UK interim communications at VMAGroup, says, “We’ve already seen an increase in demand from employers for change experience across communications and marketing. There’s greater pressure for organisations to improve efficiencies and generate cost savings which involve digitalisation and changes to processes, systems and culture. A key challenge for communications and marketing professionals is the need to stay up to date with digital skills, particularly for interim professionals who need to invest time and money into their professional development”

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