Ranking of the best interim management firms: WAYDEN confirms its “Excellent” rating

For the 8th consecutive year, WAYDEN has distinguished itself in the “Excellent” category in the 2024 ranking of the best interim management firms. It is published each year by the magazine DÉCIDEURS and establishes its reputation as a quality player in interim management activities.

Our mission is to help companies reach milestones at decisive moments with the best interim managers.
We thank our customers, for their trust, and our managers, for their performance, results and total involvement that have allowed WAYDEN to obtain this new distinction.

The interim management market in 2025: what are the prospects?

The year 2025 promises to be decisive for the interim management market, in France and internationally. As companies continue to face a complex economic environment, marked by geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain tensions and accelerated digital transformations (such as artificial intelligence), the use of interim management is expected to intensify further.

Growth driven by strategic and operational needs

The French market, which has already been growing steadily in recent years, is experiencing an estimated annual growth of 15% according to the latest industry reports. In 2023, the interim management market in France represented around €800 million. Companies, faced with challenges such as restructuring, crisis management or the emergency replacement of a manager, see this solution as a strategic lever to support sensitive projects while ensuring rapid and efficient execution.

The positions held by interim managers are numerous: general management, human resources department, finance department, industrial department, information systems department, etc. Finance missions represented 24% of the missions carried out by these senior executives.

Some sectors, such as health care and industry, stand out in particular. For example, 49% of interim management assignments in France concerned projects in the industrial sector, often related to major organizational transformations or operational performance issues.

Increased specialisation of firms

In 2023, 70% of the customers who used interim management again accounted for 70%. Market players, such as WAYDEN, who can rely on strong sector expertise and an ability to respond quickly to the needs of companies, are able to capture a growing share of this demand.

 

The methodology for ranking the best interim management firms

The magazine Décideurs has been publishing this ranking for several years now, and is based on a precise and proven methodology

The first step in this methodology is a comprehensive data collection over several months. This phase has three main sources of data:

• the submissions of the interim management firms themselves,
• Peer feedback
• and qualified third-party evaluations.

Each source brings a unique perspective contributing to a comprehensive and balanced overview.

Company Submissions

The best interim management firms, including Wayden, had to fill out a detailed form on the site containing their major achievements over the last twelve months, the composition of their teams, new clients, strategic business as well as their turnover and its evolution.

Confidential interviews with the firm’s managing partners complete this submission. They allow companies to discuss in more detail their performance and strategies that have influenced their recent development. These elements justify their positioning and demonstrate why they should be ranked among the best.

Peer feedback

Feedback from peers (partners and other interim management firms) brings an additional dimension by making it possible to collect direct opinions from professionals with whom the companies have collaborated. While these opinions can sometimes be biased, they nevertheless offer valuable insight into market dynamics and cross-industry relationships.

Different perspectives are evaluated to minimize these potential biases by also collecting opinions from external actors such as consultants or sector experts.

The use of qualified external service providers is also essential. Law, audit, consulting, investment banking, and other similar players provide valuable expertise. For example, when evaluating interim management firms, the feedback of interim managers (who are sometimes required to work with several firms during their career) is very important to bring this famous critical look at the firm in question.

 

What are the evaluation criteria for each interim management firm?

Once the data has been collected, the analysis is based on various objective criteria. These criteria address several essential aspects of the firms’ missions to provide a complete and accurate assessment of the companies analysed.

Nature, complexity and volume of transition projects handled

One of the first criteria considered is the nature, complexity and volume of the transition projects handled by the company. This criterion assesses the company’s ability to manage complex and important initiatives.

Large-scale projects demonstrate a certain competence and robust resources, which may justify a high place in the ranking.

Reputation and recognition in the market

Measuring the influence and reputation of the interim management firm on the market involves evaluating the opinions of third parties and peers. The aim here is to understand how the company is perceived by its partners and competitors. We are going to talk about awareness, influence and brand recognition among a host of actors.

Team Expansion and Structure

The firm’s internal organization and team growth also play a crucial role in the valuation. The diversity within the team and the career paths of the managers and associate directors are scrutinized to determine organizational strength.

Well-structured and expanding teams reveal a growing company with the ability to adapt to market challenges.

Capacity for innovation

Continuous commitment to innovation is decisive in the evaluation of interim management firms, which must themselves deal with innovative projects that are sometimes critical. Innovative companies are able to offer new and relevant solutions, ensuring their differentiation and sustainability.

Also, involvement in sustainable development and social responsibility is becoming more and more crucial. This commitment demonstrates not only a strong capacity for innovation but also a willingness to contribute positively to society.

Finally, particular attention is given to corporate social responsibility . Compliance with environmental standards and ethical practices strongly influence a company’s overall perception and position in the rankings.

More than just a criterion, ethics and social responsibility reveal the intrinsic values of companies and their commitment to sustainable development.

 

The ranking of interim management firms

• Human Resources

To conclude, here is the ranking of interim management firms as such, for those with at least the “Excellent” rating, in the Human Resources category, such as WAYDEN:

 

• Restructuring & Distressed Companies

To conclude, here is the ranking of interim management firms as such, for those with at least the “Excellent” rating, in the Restructuring & Companies in difficulty category, such as WAYDEN: