Businesses increasingly rely on interim corporate affairs professionals

Companies are increasingly relying on interim corporate affairs professionals as reputational and stakeholder pressures intensify, according to new research from Murray McIntosh.

A report by the recruitment firm found that one in three corporate affairs hires is now made on an interim basis, reflecting what it described as a broader shift in how organisations resource communications and public affairs functions.

The findings, based on a survey of more than 3,200 UK public affairs and corporate communications professionals, suggest interim appointments are increasingly being used for senior strategic roles rather than temporary backfill positions.

Companies are deploying interim leaders to manage regulatory scrutiny and oversee high-pressure programmes where speed and specialist expertise are seen as critical.

The trend comes amid wider workforce instability across strategic communications. More than half of respondents said they were considering changing roles within the next six months, increasing pressure on employers already struggling with lean senior teams and slow permanent recruitment processes.

Lauren Maddocks, associate director at Murray McIntosh, said interim corporate affairs roles were increasingly viewed as a way to bring in senior capability quickly during periods of reputational or regulatory pressure.

However, she warned that overreliance on interim leadership risked weakening institutional knowledge and long-term capability within communications functions.

The findings reflect growing pressure on corporate affairs teams as companies face heightened scrutiny from regulators, politicians, employees and consumers in an increasingly volatile operating environment.