France Transition currently brings together 37 Interim Management Firms (EMT), associations of managers, and partners. The goal is simple and clear: to work together to preserve our profession, anticipate market challenges, and uphold high standards.

ADN Transition contributes to this in a concrete way. In particular, Luc Marot co-led the working group tasked with revising the certification framework, which took effect on January 1, 2026. This framework, audited by Bureau Veritas Certification, guarantees client companies that they are working with a reputable, well-structured firm that adheres to the industry’s best practices in cybersecurity, CSR, and relations with managers.

This is the industry’s benchmark study. This third edition was conducted between March and May 2026 among more than 3,100 managers and focuses on their actual work in 2025.

• A senior, experienced profile, heavily concentrated in the Île-de-France region

The typical interim manager was 57 years old in 2025, slightly older than in previous years. Thirty-nine percent are over 60. This aging of the talent pool is not a problem in itself; it is precisely this accumulated experience that companies are seeking. However, the sector will need to continue attracting younger professionals to ensure its renewal.

48% of interim managers reside in the Île-de-France region, and 41% of assignments are located there. Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes ranks second (13%), followed by Hauts-de-France. 7.8% of assignments take place abroad.

• The Most In-Demand Roles : CFO Tops the List

The top four roles have remained stable for several years: Chief Financial Officer (21%), Chief Executive Officer (16%), Operations/Production (14%), and Chief Human Resources Officer (12%). Sales leadership and transformation assignments are on the rise. Chief Information Officer roles are declining slightly.

In terms of the nature of the assignments, transformation and performance improvement account for 35% of the volume, ahead of managerial succession (31%), crisis management and turnaround (19%), and project management (16%). More than half of the assignments are at the CEO or executive committee member level.

• Average Daily Rate by Role : Significant Disparities

The average daily rate for managers has remained stable since 2023, at around €976. However, there are significant differences depending on the role: an interim CEO charges an average of €1,166 per day, compared to €764 for a director of a medical-social facility. Assignments in IT (€1,081) and transformation (€1,078) also rank above average.

On the client side, the average daily rate is €1,148, rising to €1,376 for assignments brokered by an executive search firm. The average margin for consulting firms is 27%.

Jérémy Robiolle, Director of Development at Xerfi, presented an in-depth study of the flexible employment market for executives and managers. The overall picture is nuanced.

• A €4.3 billion market expected to reach €4.6 billion by 2028

Interim management currently accounts for 20% of a total market worth 4.3 billion euros, alongside umbrella companies (41%), executive temp agencies (23%), and freelancing (16%). By 2028, its share is expected to rise to 22%, driven by growing structural demand for temporary executive expertise.

• A challenging short-term environment, but solid fundamentals

The immediate environment is tense. Business sentiment is at its lowest level since early 2021. Business failures reached a historic high in Q1 2026, particularly in business consulting and healthcare. Executive hiring is expected to remain sluggish at least through the end of 2026.

Xerfi anticipates a rebound in the French economy in 2028 (+1.3% GDP growth), following two years of slowdown. In the longer term, demographic contraction—France’s natural population growth turned negative in 2025—is creating a structural need for experienced professionals capable of alleviating labor market pressures.