As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Worldwide Interim Leadership Group (WIL Group) on September 8th, we are reminded of the significant challenges that led to its formation and the remarkable growth we have experienced over the past decade. What began as a solution to a specific market need has now transformed into a global alliance, helping businesses worldwide navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected business environment.

We actually started working on the project to create a global interim management group some years before 2014. We needed several years to get the design right and how we could become a close-knit and integrated group capable of solving complex cross-border leadership challenges.

I’m Jason Atkinson, Chair of WIL Group, and as one of the founders, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing our evolution. Today, I’d like to reflect on our journey, the challenges we’ve encountered, the lessons we’ve learned and how we aim to address future demands in executive interim management.

The challenges facing companies in today’s global market

In today’s rapidly changing environment, businesses face a unique set of challenges that require swift and effective leadership solutions. Companies frequently confront issues such as:

• Critical leadership gaps during times of transition,
• The need for rapid restructuring in response to market changes,
• Expanding operations into new regions, often requiring immediate, culturally-sensitive leadership,
• An increasing reliance on cross-border expertise to manage mergers, acquisitions and transformations.

Traditional leadership solutions often fall short in such situations. Companies need expertise that can be deployed quickly and effectively across borders, with a deep understanding of local markets and cultures. This is where interim management proves invaluable.

WIL Group: a decade of global solutions

When we founded WIL Group in 2014, the goal was simple yet ambitious: to create an international alliance of interim management firms that could offer seamless, high-quality solutions across borders. We saw a gap in the market—businesses operating on a global scale needed support from leaders with both local insight and international reach.

Over the past ten years, WIL Group has grown into an alliance of 19 member firms, covering over 40 countries and delivering more than 500 assignments each year. What sets us apart is not just the global scale of our operations but the depth of expertise we bring, with over 40,000 interim leaders in a core talent pool.

Lessons learned: the power of collaboration and local expertise

One of the most important lessons we’ve learned over the past decade is the power of collaboration. By working together across borders, WIL Group has been able to tackle some of the most complex business challenges. Whether it’s managing post-merger integration, leading turnaround projects, or driving growth in new markets, our success comes from combining global best practices with deep local knowledge.

For example, during the integration of a major Spanish lift maintenance company, we leveraged both our international experience and local expertise to ensure a smooth transition​. In another case, our team in Singapore provided critical support during the construction phase of a large sports complex, a project that required both strategic oversight and cultural sensitivity.

These are just two of the many projects that highlight the value of our alliance. By blending global reach with local insight, we deliver sustainable and innovative solutions that meet the unique needs of each client.

The next decade: preparing for future challenges

While we celebrate our achievements, we are also looking ahead to the future. The business landscape is changing rapidly and companies are facing increasingly complex challenges. The speed of digital transformation, the rise of private equity investment and the growing demand for agile leadership are all reshaping the world of interim management​.

At WIL Group, we are prepared to evolve alongside these changes. In the next phase of our journey, we will focus on:

1. Strengthening our global footprint by expanding into new regions and markets where interim management is becoming more critical.
2. Adapting to technological advancements, ensuring our leaders are equipped to manage digital transformations and other tech-driven business shifts.
3. Enhancing cross-border collaboration, allowing us to continue delivering coherent solutions that combine global strategy with local execution.

The role of WIL Group in addressing future business needs

Looking ahead, the role of WIL Group in the global market will only become more essential. Businesses are increasingly turning to interim management not just as a stop-gap measure, but as a strategic tool for transformation and growth. Whether it’s managing a critical role during a leadership transition or driving performance improvements across multiple countries, WIL Group will continue to be at the forefront of delivering executive interim and transition management solutions.

Our mission remains clear: to provide businesses with the leadership they need, when they need it, no matter where they are in the world. And as we enter our second decade, we do so with a renewed commitment to innovation, collaboration and excellence.

Conclusion: a message for the future

As we mark this milestone, I would like to thank our partners, clients and interim leaders who have contributed to our success. WIL Group was founded on the principles of trust, collaboration and entrepreneurial spirit and it is these values that will continue to drive us forward.

The next decade promises to bring even more opportunities for growth and transformation, both for our clients and for the WIL Group alliance. We look forward to continuing to support businesses around the world in overcoming their most pressing challenges, with the same dedication and passion that has defined our first ten years.

Jason Atkinson

Chairman and Co-Founder, WIL Group