Interim executive appointments in publicly listed companies in Finland
In Finland today, around 6.1% of listed companies have an interim executive in their management team. We got this number from Listeds Executive insights tool. That’s already a meaningful share, and it mirrors what’s happening across Western markets, where interim leadership is gaining traction as boards face record CEO turnover, succession gaps, and fast-changing environments.
A global rise in interims
In the U.S., 16% of all new CEOs in H1 2025 were appointed on an interim basis (Challenger, Gray & Christmas) — nearly double the share from a year earlier. Heidrick & Struggles reports a 310% increase in interim placements since 2020, calling it a sign of a “gig economy” in the C-suite.
Why it matters
Interim leaders are relevant especially now because they:
Provide stability during leadership gaps.
Buy boards time for proper searches.
Drive fast, goal-oriented change when companies need turnaround momentum.
Sometimes serve as a trial run for permanent roles (with 20–30% of interim CEOs ultimately confirmed).
Research shows markets often reward interim appointments in the short term — with stock prices outperforming peers when respected interims step in decisively. But the risks are also real: prolonged uncertainty can unsettle investors and stall strategy.
What customers are saying
“The real value of interim leaders is the outside perspective. They can surface bottlenecks and blind spots companies don’t see themselves — or don’t want to see. They become drivers of development and change,” says Maarit Yrjänheikki, Head of Executive Solutions, Adecco Finland.
“When there are gaps in key roles, companies need someone who can step in fast. Projects may be clear, but when restructurings hit, internal teams often have the skills but not the time. Interim talent saves time and keeps things moving — whether it’s digitalisation, AI, or ESG. Interim roles can also serve as a kind of extended trial period: do things actually work with this person, could they even step into a CEO role? And when they come in, they bring their networks with them — which the organisation can then use,” says Maarit Yrjänheikki.
What’s next in Finland
With CEO churn rising globally, we expect the 6% interim share in Finnish PLCs to edge higher. The big questions: How many of today’s interim tags will be converted to permanent by year-end? And how long will searches take in our market?
How we can help
At Nordic Listed Leaders and together with Listeds (executive intelligence tool), we combine data-driven insight with direct boardroom and management team connections. Together with leading executive search partners, we help listed companies identify and place interim executives when leadership needs are urgent or transitional.
We maintain a curated pool of 200+ seasoned interim executives on Listeds platform — leaders with proven track records in listed companies. They are ready to step in when it matters most:
Stabilising organisations during leadership gaps
Driving transformation in times of change
Bridging the path to permanent leadership appointments
Alongside this, clients can access a live list of available PLC-ready leaders, making it faster and easier to match the right talent with immediate business needs. Whether you’re exploring interim talent for immediate needs, or want to understand how this fast-growing trend is reshaping Nordic leadership, we’d love to talk. You can contact us here:
Helene Auramo
helene@nordiclistedleaders.com
+358 40 153 0082
