18th AIMP Annual Forum 2024 for Interim Management at Burg Schwarzenstein was a complete success!
The 18th AIMP Annual Forum for Interim Management took place at Burg Schwarzenstein on April 12-13 and provided an excellent platform for participants from the interim management industry to exchange views on the latest trends and developments in the sector.
The two-day event presented a diverse range of informative presentations, plenary discussions and networking events, led by world-class experts and executives. Participants had the opportunity to learn about new challenges and opportunities in the industry and make valuable contacts.
The main topic of the forum was “AI – opportunity or danger for interim managers?”
Various presentations and workshops shed light on how AI is changing the industry and what challenges it poses for interim managers.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact: Physicist Stephen Hawking once said, “Artificial intelligence is probably the best or the worst thing that can happen to mankind.” AI has already achieved high-profile breakthroughs and will influence all areas of life and industries in the future. It can replace simple tasks with machines and solve complicated tasks better. AI will continue to drive digitalization and automation and change everyday working life.
AI in human resources: HR transformation expert, Heidi Hofer, talked about how AI is revolutionizing recruitment. She explained how AI is changing personnel selection and the advantages and disadvantages for interim managers.
Requirements for interim managers: Dr. Harald Schönfeld, who has been working in interim management for more than 20 years, showed how the requirements for interim managers will change as a result of AI. New customer needs and project topics open up opportunities and risks for interim managers. A solid basic competence in AI is becoming increasingly important for interim managers.
AI workshops: Industry-specific questions were discussed in five parallel AI workshops: Will there be fewer interim management mandates in the age of AI? Will the demands on interim managers increase due to the spread of AI? Will management become easier with AI? Will interim managers be hired using recruiting robots in the future? Practical examples of the use of AI for interim managers.
The highlight and a proud moment for HANSE Interim was the “Interim Manager of the Year” award for Kay Bindel

With over 20 years of experience in various purchasing and procurement positions and an impressive academic background, Kay Bindel has had a remarkable career characterized by professional excellence and exceptional commitment.
Mr. Bindel’s many years in interim management underline his ability to operate successfully in dynamic environments. He is frequently recommended for assignments due to his expertise and proven leadership qualities.
His professional collaboration with both providers and clients is reflected in his successful projects where he has mastered complex challenges.
Mr. Bindel’s professional expertise spans various industries, including the steel processing industry, the brewing industry, the plastics processing industry, the food and pharmaceutical industry as well as renewable energies and automotive.
His in-depth knowledge of corporate governance, finance, strategic planning, project management and supply chain management has made him a leading expert in his field.
Kay Bindel’s strengths in the areas of ethics and corporate social responsibility as well as his outstanding ability to use ERP systems are particularly noteworthy.
His proactive communication and ability to empower teams to drive transformation projects have helped organizations successfully implement change and achieve their goals.
Mr. Kay Bindel stands out not only for his professional excellence, but also for his commitment to ethical business practices and his ability to bring about sustainable change. His contribution to the development and optimization of supply chain processes has contributed significantly to the success of the companies he has worked for. His dedication, expertise and commitment are an inspirational role model for us all.
The award is a well-deserved recognition of the outstanding achievements of Kay Bindel and HANSE Interim. We warmly congratulate Kay Bindel on this well-deserved success!
Will interim managers be hired by recruiting robots in the future?
Nadja Brinkmeier and Andreas Lau (HANSE Interim) moderated the workshop “Will interim managers be hired by recruiting robots in the future?”
In an exciting workshop format, we defended three sub-theses to the panelists and collected supporting and refuting arguments from the panelists.
Thesis 1
In the future, interim managers will increasingly be hired by recruiting robots.
Thesis 2
Recruiting robots will improve the quality of the selected interim managers.
Thesis 3
Recruiting robots will not be able to completely replace the human decision-making process in the selection of interim managers.

There are arguments for and against automating the recruitment process. It is argued that robots can analyze large amounts of data and select qualified interim managers to be deployed in companies faster and more cost-effectively. It is also argued that human intuition, emotional understanding and social skills, however, cannot be provided by robots. Companies should also consider the unique challenges of projects and the confidentiality of information.
The workshop participants agreed that recruiting robots can support the selection process, but the more high-value and budget-intensive the management position, the more human judgment remains in play.
AIMP academy for beginners and curious interim managers
Another highlight of the forum was the AIMP academy’s one-day workshop, which was led by Andreas Lau and specially designed for newcomers and curious interim managers.

The AIMP academy offers customized support for prospective interim managers who want to establish themselves in a dynamic and demanding industry.
This workshop provides participants with valuable tools and strategies to succeed as an interim manager.
The workshop covered a variety of topics including the role of the interim manager in organizations, developing a personal brand, negotiation techniques and project management strategies.
Through active discussions and practical exercises, participants were able to deepen their knowledge and develop their skills.
The number of participants in the AIMP academy shows the growing interest in the profession of interim manager and the willingness to get involved in this exciting industry. Thanks to professional guidance and support from experienced interim experts, prospective interim managers can successfully launch their careers and hold their own in a highly competitive environment.
Overall, the 18th AIMP Annual Forum for Interim Management at Burg Schwarzenstein was a great success and provided participants with valuable insights and knowledge into current developments in the industry.
We are already looking forward to next year and are excited to see which topics will be in focus then!
With kind regards
Your HANSE Interim Management
Andreas Lau