Question 1

What does interim CEO mean?

Accepted Answer

It means a chief executive appointed for a defined, temporary period with full authority to run the company. The word interim refers to the term of the appointment, not to a reduced scope of responsibility.

Question 2

Why hire an interim CEO?

Accepted Answer

Because a permanent search takes six to nine months and a company without a chief executive loses momentum, customers, and key staff. An interim CEO stabilises the business, makes the decisions that cannot wait, and gives the board time to hire well rather than fast.

Question 3

When should you hire an interim CEO?

Accepted Answer

As soon as the departure is certain, not once the vacancy is felt. The strongest mandates start within two to four weeks of the announcement, before the organisation forms its own narrative about the gap.

Question 4

Can an interim CEO become the permanent CEO?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes, and it should be declared up front. If both sides want the option open, write it into the mandate. If the board wants a clean external search, say so, because an undeclared audition distorts every decision the interim makes.

Question 5

Is an interim CEO just a caretaker?

Accepted Answer

A weak one is. A strong one is appointed precisely to do what a caretaker will not: cut what should be cut, replace what should be replaced, and hand the successor a business that is honest about its numbers.

Question 6

How much does an interim CEO cost?

Accepted Answer

In Italy in 2026, between 1,200 and 2,500 euro per day, or roughly 22,000 to 45,000 euro per month full time. There is no search fee, no severance, and the cost stops when the mandate stops.

Question 7

Who does an interim CEO report to?

Accepted Answer

The board, or the owner or private equity sponsor directly. The reporting line and the decision rights are agreed in writing before day one.