A WORCESTERSHIRE businessman has been chosen as a finalist in the National Interim Manager of the Year Awards.

Howard Wyer-Roberts, of Droitwich Road, Feckenham, will join 16 other finalists from all over the country at the finals of the awards.

Interim managers are short-term, senior managers that stay with a company until a project is concluded.

Motability

Mr Wyer-Roberts, aged 57, was nominated for the award by Motability, in Harlow, Essex, for his work for the charity between January and September, 2002.

"Interim managers are like consultants, but they are different because they become part of the team," said Mr Wyer-Roberts, who worked for Cadbury-Schweppes and Grand Metropolitan Hotels before becoming an interim manager.

"They are normally senior executives who have worked in commerce, but choose not to work permanently for one company, preferring to work across a range of contracts."

Mr Wyer-Roberts was brought into Motability, which provides cars for people with disabilities, to help with a strategic review of the company's operations.

"I helped with a review of supplier arrangements, including who the suppliers should be, how to get the best value for money and how to measure their performance."

The Interim Manager of the Year Awards are sponsored by Praxis Executives on Assignment, a leading UK interim management specialist.

"More than 500 companies were invited to nominate their interim manager for an award.

Mr Wyer-Roberts will find out on Friday, September 19 if he has won the title.