API F.A.Q's

The API supports the following definition and value proposition:

A Professional Interim Executive is a high impact external resource, usually operating at or near board level on a short-term basis, who utilises extensive proven experience to solve complex problems or deliver solutions to business critical issues fast. Professional Interims diagnose, design, deliver, embed the learning, and then disengage.

• Professional Interim executives are usually deployed as a flexible strategic resourcing tool in organisations from large multinationals to small owner-managed companies.
• They have a previous proven track record of success usually across a range of organisations or have been seconded across several areas of a large organisation. They are used in all sectors.
• They are focused and hardworking and deliver results extremely quickly, usually far exceeding client expectations.
• Almost every successful interim executive has previously been a successful permanent executive. That experience is what equips them to go into different organisations on a short or medium-term basis to fulfil a specific leadership requirement - from acting as temporary CEO to steer a company through a complex period, to solve an 'impossible' problem, to filling gaps in key business functions.
• They typically report directly to the senior management, the Board or shareholders.
• They bring with them a wealth of experience and expertise - and no political baggage - ensuring they are exceptionally focused on delivering the agreed business goals.
• Above all, they thrive on new challenges and immersing themselves in new situations and have a remarkable ability to adapt to different organisational cultures and win the trust and respect of their teams and colleagues - hence their decision to work as Professional Interim Executives, rather than permanent members of staff.

They fulfil a wide range of usually strategic roles, from Board Directors to functional leaders to Project and Programme Directors in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Some are appointed purely in advisory capacities, but most have executive responsibilities. Typical examples where Interims are used include:

Simply follow our easy-to-use "selection criteria" format and enter the key requirements of the role, including what you are prepared to pay. You will be offered the synopsis of candidates on our files who match or most closely match your requirements. You can do this as many times as you like, without cost, varying the criteria to judge how this might affect the number and type of candidates. Candidates who are members of the Association of Professional Interims (API) will be flagged for your attention. API interims are accredited professionals who have committed to a stringent Professional Code of Conduct , carry professional indemnity assurance, operate through their own limited company and have a minimum of 200 billable days of recent experience on assignments. In addition to their CV, you will be able to review their references.
Please email david@APInterims.com with your request or for more information.

If you are new to interim management, want more information as to whether it is for you, or are keen to learn more about how to set-up and get started quickly, we strongly recommend that you attend the One-day workshop that the API runs every month in London. You can find out more by clicking here

No - age itself is not a barrier to entry, at either end of the scale. However, because the value of an interim manager comes through his/her proven experience at a senior level, it is normal that Professional Interim Executives would not be younger than 35 to 40years old.

The API is a national body representing both new and experienced career Professional Interim Executives in the UK. Unlike other bodies which represent functional skills, the API is dedicated to supporting the profession of Interim Management itself. It is the only national body recognised by the Interim Management Association (a trade body of high-end executive recruiters), and by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).

Membership of the API is a kite mark of excellence that assures the marketplace of the highest quality of service and professional standards of an Interim practitioner through its stringent entry criteria and its professional code of conduct.

There are a host of money saving, professional development and professional enhancement benefits associated with membership, which support Professional Interim Executives, as well as excellent networking events. Most importantly, API's membership of the CBI allows members to get closer to clients.

Primarily the difference is the level of experience in interim management. Both memberships require senior management experience and the same company structure and protection (professional indemnity cover). A FULL member though must also have completed at least 200 billable days as an interim manager in any 2 consecutive year period over the last 4 years.

If you meet the criteria for FULL membership during a year, you can "upgrade" to FULL membership immediately for a small additional fee. This is to cover the additional benefits open to FULL members (for example, free legal helpline and litigation cover).

Simply log into www.APInterims.com using your email address as your user name and your alpha-numeric password and you will have immediate access to all benefits.

Type in your email user name and press the "Forgot your password?" icon and you will be immediately sent your password to your given email address.

Please make sure that you are trying to access your account via www.APInterims.com. If you are in the right place and it will still not recognise your password, please fill-in your user name and press the "Forgot your password?" icon and you will be immediately sent your password to your given email address. If that still fails, please email info@APInterims.com and request further support.

Check the criteria of membership as a starting point. However, if you wish to get more information on your suitability, you have the opportunity of:

Attending the One-day workshop for potential Professional Interim Executives, which will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision as to whether you are suitable for this new career choice. It will also help you learn what is required to make a fast-start in this field and provide you with essential tools and techniques to help you in that pursuit. Please click here for more information.

There is no prescriptive formula that you must follow. Anybody can call themselves an Interim Manager, even if they do not know what they do or have the skills. However, by following the entry criteria of membership of the API and its guidelines, you can assure yourself, providers you wish to work through, and clients, that you meet minimum, accredited standards of competence, you belong to a recognised national body and that you ascribe to a professional code of conduct.

The API recommends that you form a limited company (most providers will not work with sole traders), as this establishes a certain credibility in its own right. You are also required to carry professional indemnity insurance of at least £250 000, which protects both you and your clients and you should familiarise yourself with our section on "compliance for interims". Finally, it is strongly recommended that you attend the API's one-day induction and marketing workshop as this will give you invaluable learning tips and techniques to help you make a fast start and avoid many of the costly mistakes the unknowing will make. Please click here for more information.

We strongly recommend to Professional Interim Executives that they set up and operate through their own limited company rather than as a sole trader or under an umbrella company. Working through your own Limited Company clearly demonstrates your status. As well as being the owner you are also the employee, and HMRC cannot say that you are employed by either the interim provider or the client. It also implies a certain professionalism and demonstrates that you will transact business in accordance with standard practice.

It gives you the opportunity to project an image with which you are comfortable, through your company name, headed paper, email and possibly a website if you feel it's appropriate. It is helpful for your clients and the interim providers you deal with, as they do not bear the cost or the legal burden of employing you.

You are responsible for funding holiday pay, sick pay, pension contributions, medical insurance etc. The clients and agencies also know that they can benefit from your services for a short period of time, and then let you go, without incurring termination or redundancy costs. You will be responsible for keeping all your own accounting records and for paying your own tax.

When you have set up a limited company you are employed by that company (you are not self-employed) and you pay tax and National Insurance under a 'pay as you earn' scheme (PAYE). As you are the employer and the employee, you also pay both employer and employee National Insurance contributions.

You can buy a new company with your own choice of name (provided the name does not already exist) or you can buy a ready-made company which has been formed but has never traded (off the shelf). There are many company formation agents that will do either of these for you and a search on the internet under "UK Limited Company", or something similar, will bring up a list of such agents. You can check to see if a name is available on the Companies House website:

www.companieshouse.gov.uk/info

The cost of buying a company off the shelf is usually anything from £150 upwards, depending on the package you buy. However, if you will be using an accountant, you are best advised to ask your accountant to form the company for you.

The API is partnered with 1st Option who can help you with setting up and with your on-going accountancy needs or you can seek another 3rd party advisor.

The minimum amount of cover you need for membership of the API is £250 000. However, some public sector employers require a minimum of £3 million.

You need £250 000 PII cover to be a member of the API. However, you can obtain cover after you join. The special rates negotiated for members will remain valid for 3 days after your registration.

Yes. We have explained the minimal risks of most interim assignments to our underwriters (HCCI) and consequently been able to negotiate very special rates for members. We offer a speedy, on-line quote and payment system via www.APInterims.com .

In addition, we have negotiated a range of benefits such as payment by monthly direct debit, protection of premiums, and further reductions of premiums if you wish to take the very limited risk of increasing your excess. This is one of the leading products of its kind on the market place.

All members of the API are required, as part of their registration declaration, to sign the professional code of conduct. This can also be found under "Registration" and under "Support".

It is a benefit to you and to clients to know that you adhere to the highest quality of service and professional standards of an Interim practitioner. This code is monitored and there is a robust complaints and dispute procedure to deal with transgressions.

Competency Profiling allows you to benchmark your skills and attributes against those of successful Professional Interim Executives. The API commissioned unique industry research to identify the core competencies of successful Professional Interim Executives; the qualities and attributes that indicate potential for success and for growth in this profession. If you would like to measure yourself against this model to identify your own potential and to see the areas in which you might improve, you now have the opportunity to do that on-line in a matter of minutes. You can access this model by clicking here.

There are two further reports that you can access should you wish to do so; a development report targeted to your own results and a 1:1 coaching session with one of our specially trained Occupational Psychologists.

You also have the opportunity to take the potential report as part of a package with the Induction and Marketing Workshop, at a reduced rate.

You can access a list of some of the top providers by pressing the Links icon on the top menu of the API site (www.APInterims.com).

Access can sometimes be difficult, because Providers are being inundated with CV's, emails and phone calls from displaced Executives who are seeking an alternative career or to "pitch" their skills in the hope of an assignment. We recommend that you carefully research the market to identify providers who offer services that support your expertise and then develop relationships with a small number. Please note that providers have a primary relationship with clients. Some are better than others at maintaining contact with their interim database. Therefore, it is important that you "take control" of communicating with and contacting your selected providers.

Yes; you can use the logo on business cards, CV's and business stationary. If you would like a downloadable PDF please log-in and see the Download icon on your personal dashboard.

M.A.P.I.

There are other bodies and groups to whom Professional Interim Executives can belong, but there is no other national body that is recognised by the Interim Management Association (a trade body of high-end executive recruiters), and by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), which gives it tremendous influence in supporting and shaping the future direction of the Industry.

Our range of benefits specifically targeted to meet the needs of Professional Interim Executives is, we believe second to none, not least priority access to providers, competency profiling and development through both the Open University and through practical, skills-based interim learning from experienced and successful Professional Interim Executives.

The API a company limited by guarantee. That means that all members from their second year of membership can stand or vote for election of officers to the 'Membership Advisory Committee' and to the Board of Directors, giving them a powerful say in the future direction and growth of the Association. It is the intent of the Association to seek Chartered status in due course.

The API is a national body representing the interests of individual Professional Interim Executives. The Interim Management Association (IMA) represents a small body of service providers. They are not a legal entity, but operate as a sector group through the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). There is a strong shared purpose between the two bodies, but no formal link.

The API and the IMA worked closely together to set-up the API to ensure that the quality of entry standards, code of conduct, complaints and dispute procedures and the range of benefits offered are of the highest level.

No; currently there is no formal industry qualification for Professional Interim Executives. However, the API has instigated formal meetings with the Open University to develop a post-graduate certificate of professional competence in interim practice. Such a qualification would take into consideration experience, other professional qualifications, interim core competencies and related disciplines.

We already offer a range of 11 on-line modules which support the development of Professional Interim Executives by addressing the needs identified in the Competency Profiling model. Additionally, we offer on-line a range of practical learning skills directly targeted to help Professional Interim Executives. All of these courses and modules will carry CPD points which will be considered towards any subsequent qualification.