The Future of Interim Management: Insights from Christoph Heidler, Co-CEO of Swiss Interim Management

At a time when businesses face rapid technological change and economic uncertainty, interim management is proving to be more relevant than ever. Christoph Heidler, Co-CEO of Swiss Interim Management, recently shared his journey and perspective on the future of the industry. With nearly three decades in corporate IT leadership, Christoph transitioned into interim management about 4 years ago. What attracted him was the ability to deliver tangible results without the constraints of corporate politics. “In interim management, you step in because of your expertise. You get a clear mandate, you understand the challenge, and you deliver.” 

The role of interim leaders has undergone a noticeable shift in recent years. Considering growing economic pressures, companies are increasingly turning to interim managers for tactical assignments- focusing on stabilising, resolving urgent issues and maintaining continuity under tight time and budget constraints. While strategic mandates still exist, they are now more concentrated on essential, high-impact initiatives- such as relocations, digital transformations or compliance driven restructuring, where execution is non-negotiable. As a result, the proportion of strategic interim roles has declined, giving way to more operationally focused engagements that deliver immediate value. 

What makes Swiss Interim Management unique in this space is the seniority of its team. “Everyone is 50 plus, we have all held corporate executive roles,” Christoph explains. “We don’t just forward CVs. When we propose candidates, it’s usually one or two, we ensure they are the perfect fit. We detail the entire process on home-page” 

Looking ahead, Christoph is confident that interim management will grow as industries and technologies evolve at a speed — from artificial intelligence to cybersecurity, data management, and digital transformation. “Every new technology creates opportunities but also demands new skills. The fastest way to bring those skills in is through external experts. Interim management enables companies to keep pace by bringing in the right expertise at the right moment.” 

For executives considering interim leadership roles, Christoph offers clear advice: “You don’t have 100 days to warm yourself up into the role — you have 5. By the second week you must be fully up to speed. The companies contracting us are expecting immediate impact.” For him, interim management can be summed up in a single sentence: “High impact in a short time frame, delivered by an expert.”