What Is Really Changing in 2026
Interim management is entering a new phase.
What was once seen primarily as a flexible solution for capacity gaps or critical situations is increasingly becoming a strategic instrument in transformation processes. Companies today expect more than availability and speed. They expect measurable impact, leadership and accountability.
The guiding theme of the 20th AIMP Annual Forum 2026 captures this shift: “Next Generation Interim Management. New client expectations. New rules of the game.”
This is not a slogan. It reflects a structural change in the market.
1. Client expectations are becoming more precise and demanding
The agenda of the forum makes the direction clear.
Artificial intelligence and hybrid organizations combining human expertise and technology are no longer abstract trends. They are operational realities . At the same time, the new AIMP DACH Market Study 2026 will provide data-driven insights into the development of the industry .
Most importantly, the explicit client perspective takes center stage. Dedicated client panels address decision logic, expectations and collaboration from the viewpoint of those who commission interim executives .
This signals a clear evolution: Interim managers are no longer assessed solely on operational execution. They are evaluated on strategic alignment, cultural fit and sustainable value creation.
2. Consulting and interim management are converging
Another key theme is the interaction between consulting firms, interim providers and independent executives .
In many transformation projects, the boundaries between strategy design, operational implementation and temporary executive leadership are increasingly fluid. This requires new forms of cooperation and clearly defined roles.
The panel discussion on consulting and interim management in cooperation is moderated from both provider and consultancy perspectives . Andreas Lau contributes his experience from the provider side, reflecting decades of market practice and close interaction with both clients and interim executives.
The underlying message is straightforward: The future of interim management does not lie in competing models, but in professional integration.
3. Professionalization starts with the individual interim executive
“Next Generation” does not only refer to technology or new business models. It also means a higher level of individual responsibility.
The AIMP Academy “Fit for Interim Management”, led by Andreas Lau, provides structured orientation within the market . It addresses market mechanics, typical mandates, daily rates, collaboration with providers, contractual aspects and personal positioning .
This reflects a broader development.
Interim management is becoming more entrepreneurial, more transparent and more structured.
Success in this market requires more than functional expertise. It requires a clear understanding of the ecosystem, the rules and one’s own positioning within it.
4. The role of providers is evolving
As client expectations increase, so does the responsibility of interim providers.
Matching processes, quality assurance, governance standards and market transparency are no longer administrative functions. They are part of the value proposition delivered to both clients and interim executives.
The fact that the forum addresses the provider landscape, digital platforms and new cooperation models highlights that the industry is actively shaping its own development.
As Managing Partner of HANSE Interim and Head of the AIMP Academy, Andreas Lau represents a perspective that combines professional standards, market transparency and long-term responsibility.
Interim Management in 2026: From opportunity to accountability
The 20th AIMP Annual Forum is more than a networking event . It is a platform where the market reflects on itself.
Where does the industry stand?
What do clients truly expect?
How do technology, transformation and new collaboration models reshape executive roles?
Those who regard interim management as a serious leadership instrument cannot avoid these questions.
“Next Generation” does not begin with new terminology.
It begins with a clear professional stance.
And that is precisely what will be discussed in Bonn in 2026.
Best regards
Your HANSE Interim Management
Andreas Lau
AIMP Annual Forum 2026 – Programme & Information
