AGM Statement

10 November 2010


Hays plc: Annual General Meeting statement                 


Hays plc, the leading global professional recruiting group, will hold its Annual General Meeting today. Bob Lawson,
Chairman, will make the following comments to shareholders:

"On 7 October, we issued an Interim Management Statement for the quarter ended 30 September 2010. In that statement we
stated that net fees increased 21% in the quarter (18% on a like-for-like basis*) and that we are seeing strong and
broad based growth across most of our markets, particularly in our International business which increased fees by a 
third* in the quarter. The outlook is good across 90% of our markets and we are continuing to invest in headcount across 
Asia Pacific, Continental Europe and South America to ensure that we fully capitalise on the significant growth 
opportunities in our markets across the world.

I am pleased to say that these comments still apply today. A more detailed trading update for the quarter ending 31
December 2010 will be provided on 6 January 2011.

As we announced earlier in the year this is my last AGM as Chairman as I retire from the Board today.  It has been a
privilege for me to serve as your Chairman since 2001, and longer as a director of the Company.  In that time I've seen
tremendous change at Hays and I'm proud of what we have achieved together.  Hays is a great company and it's in very
good shape.  And as I hand over to Alan Thomson, who becomes Chairman from the end of this AGM, I know that it
will remain in good hands.  I have enjoyed my time at Hays tremendously and I wish Alan and everyone in the business 
great success in the future."

* LFL is like-for-like growth, which represents organic growth of continuing activities at constant currency.


Enquiries

Hays plc                                                                            
Paul Venables                    Finance Director          + 44 (0) 20 7383 2266  
Martin Abell / James Hilton      Investor Relations        + 44 (0) 20 7383 2266   

Maitland
Neil Bennett                                               + 44 (0) 20 7379 5151   
Liz Morley                                                                          
 

Reporting calendar

Trading Update for quarter ending 31 December 2010                 6 January 2011  
Half Year Report for 6 months ending 31 December 2010              28 February 2011
Interim Management Statement for quarter ending 31 March 2011      7 April 2011    
Trading Update for quarter ending 30 June 2011                     7 July 2011