Across the public sector, something important is happening, and not enough people are talking about it. Services are under pressure, teams are stretched, and organisations are quietly facing skills gaps that make day‑to‑day delivery harder than ever.

This is exactly where great interim professionals make all the difference.

Whilst some of the latest statistics suggest a shifting landscape, when you look closer, what emerges is a rich field of opportunity for professionals who want more flexibility, more purpose, and more control over their careers.

A Sector Under Strain, and Full of Opportunity

Local authorities and public sector bodies aren’t simply dealing with budget constraints; they’re navigating huge transformation, increasing demand, and a rapid shift in what “good service” looks like.

That creates gaps. Real, human, practical gaps, in areas like:

• Finance and commercial leadership
• Transformation and recovery
• Programme and project delivery
• Digital, data and efficiency
• Service redesign
• Change and people‑centred leadership

These gaps aren’t weaknesses. They’re invitations. Invitations for skilled interims to step in, steady the ship, and help organisations move forward with clarity and confidence.

Interims Bring What the Sector Needs Most

Every week, we hear the same things from public sector leaders:

“We need someone who can land fast.”
“We need experience, not theory.”
“We need someone who brings calm.”
“We need someone who can help our team breathe again.”

That’s the heart of interim work; bringing expertise, stability and pace when it matters most.

Purpose at the Centre

Yes, private sector day rates may be higher – Public‑sector interims earn an average day rate of £701, compared to £970 in the private sector – a 38% difference. But almost every interim who chooses the public sector tells us the same thing:

“I want to do work that matters.”

Interim roles in the public sector offer purpose, flexibility, variety and the chance to improve lives in a way that’s genuinely meaningful. It’s portfolio‑career freedom, aligned with public‑good impact.

Why 2026 Is the Moment to Step In

The public sector workforce is growing, change programmes are accelerating, and the pressure to deliver more with less is only increasing.

During times like this, organisations don’t rely on open‑market recruitment – they lean on trusted partners and proven interim talent. That means strong interims are in a better position than ever to secure high‑impact roles.

If You’ve Been Considering Interim Work, This Is Your Sign

You don’t need to wait for the “perfect” moment.

The moment is now.

The public sector needs calm heads, skilled hands, and people who care about doing meaningful work. If that sounds like you, we’d love to support your next step.

Let’s build your interim career together. Just reach out, we’ll take it from here.