Latest figures have revealed that interim management placements make up over half (51 per cent) of all completed assignments in the public sector for the second quarter of the financial year.
The figure is up from 43 per cent in the first financial quarter, surpassing for the first time the private sector since tracking began in 2006, according to figures taken from the Interim Management Association's (IMA) Ipsos MORI report.
The latest findings show local government (30%), healthcare (25 per cent) and non departmental government bodies (10 per cent) specifically as key areas of the public sector pushing demand up for interim managers.
"Interestingly, since 2006, the proportion of public sector interim assignments has moved from 30% to the current level of 51%, showing huge growth in the sector," IMA Chairman Paul Botting explained.
"This is the first time that we have seen public sector demand outweigh that of the private sector, even if it is only marginally. Today, public sector organisations face more pressure than ever to deliver a wide range of services.
"That means delivering even higher levels of quality and service and putting resources to the frontline, which is no mean feat in the depths of a recession; and this is where independent specialist interim managers come in."
Holding strong within the private sector, banking and finance once again pipped the top spot with a quarter (25 per cent) of assignments, followed by IT and telecommunications with 12 per cent, and pharmaceuticals with 10 per cent.
