Starfish Search Awarded Platinum Provider Status in the 2025 Institute of Interim Management Survey
We are delighted to share that Starfish Search has been recognised as a Platinum Provider in the 2025 Institute of Interim Management (IIM) Survey. This prestigious award places us in the top tier of the UK’s interim service providers and is based entirely on votes from interim managers themselves, the very professionals at the heart of our work.
A Recognition That Matters
The IIM Survey is widely regarded as the definitive benchmark for quality and trust in the interim sector. Now in its 14th year, the survey draws on thousands of responses from interim leaders and professionals across the UK. It offers valuable insights into what interims need from their service partners and highlights those firms who consistently deliver high-quality experiences and outcomes.
To be named one of only 15 firms in the Platinum category is a recognition we are incredibly proud of. It reflects the deep partnerships we have built with our interim community — relationships grounded in respect, transparency and a shared sense of purpose.
Why It Matters to Us
At Starfish Search, we work with organisations undergoing significant change,whether that’s growth, transition or transformation. Our role is to help them find exceptional leadership at critical moments, and our interim offering is a core part of that. We know that finding the right interim leader isn’t just about filling a gap. It’s about insight, pace, judgement and chemistry. Our approach has always been highly personalised, combining a nuanced understanding of our clients’ challenges with a deep appreciation of our candidates’ strengths, values and aspirations.
This Platinum award is a welcome affirmation that our approach is working — that we are trusted to deliver, and that we are seen as a true partner by those who matter most.
Thank You to Our Community
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the interim managers who took the time to participate in the IIM’s survey and share their feedback. Your voices not only shape the rankings, but also help drive higher standards across our sector. We are grateful for your trust and support, and we remain committed to continuing to earn it.
Looking Ahead
As we look to the future, we will continue to build on this recognition — investing in our networks, championing diverse and values-led leadership, and ensuring that every client and candidate experience reflects the high standards this award represents. To learn more about our interim services, or to speak with one of our team, get in touch here.
Webinar Recap: Navigating Recruitment in the AI Age with PPMA
Starfish Search recently partnered with the Public Services People Managers Association (PPMA) to deliver a timely and thought-provoking webinar: “Navigating Recruitment in the AI Age.” Our own Sunita Patel was joined by Jason Makepeace from GovCats to explore how artificial intelligence is already reshaping recruitment, leadership, and workforce planning across the public sector. If you missed the session, the full webinar is available to watch here.
Lorraine Payne Named Among Top 10 Interim Consultants in the 2025 IIM Awards
We are incredibly proud to share that Lorraine Payne, Partner at Starfish Search, has once again been recognised by the Institute of Interim Management (IIM) as one of the UK’s top interim consultants, securing a place in the Top 10 for 2025. This honour, based entirely on feedback from interim managers themselves, celebrates the individual consultants who go beyond the brief — those who listen carefully, understand deeply, and deliver consistently for the interims and organisations they support.
Top Talent: Regeneration and Growth
The growth and infrastructure agenda remains central to the government’s mission, and local authorities across the country are key drivers.
ACCREDITATIONS
ESPO is a public sector owned professional buying organisation (PBO), specialising in providing a wide range of goods and services to the public sector for over 40 years. Starfish Search has been awarded a place on ESPO’s Strategic HR Services framework (3S). Services we offer under the framework include: Lot 1, Executive and Managerial Interim Recruitment Lot 2, Executive and Managerial Permanent Recruitment.
Starfish are proud to be certified Disability Confident Committed. This scheme provides employers with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to attract, recruit, retain and develop disabled people in the workplace.
Crown Commercial Service supports the public sector to achieve maximum commercial value when procuring common goods and services. In 2020/21, CCS helped the public sector to achieve commercial benefits equal to £2.04bn - supporting world-class public services that offer best value for taxpayers. Starfish Search has been named as a supplier on Crown Commercial Service’s Executive and Non-Executive recruitment. Services we offer under the framework include: Lot 3 - Non-Executive and Public Appointments.
Bloom, launched in 2012 is the UK’s leading marketplace for professional services. They provide an end-to-end solution for the procurement, contract management and payment of all professional services, via the compliant NEPRO³ framework. Their public sector clients have access to 20 professional services categories and over 4500 accredited suppliers. Bloom provides swift routes to market via either direct award or mini competition. Starfish is an accredited supplier to BLOOM; our services can be accessed via this framework - Executive and Non-Executive Search and Interim Management.
Join the starfish team
We hire people who bring insight, integrity and ambition to their work. If you’re ready to contribute to shaping the future of leadership and you want to explore our current opportunities please get in touch.
