AGM Statement

Hays PLC
8 November 2001


8 November 2001

HAYS plc: AGM STATEMENT


Hays plc, the leading provider of outsourced business solutions, held its
Annual General Meeting at noon today.  Bob Lawson, Chairman and acting CEO,
gave the following update to shareholders:

Current Trading
_______________

'In an increasingly challenging environment the market's profit expectation for
the current year has been reduced in the past four months.  Activity levels in
Commercial remain satisfactory, with good growth in Business Process
Outsourcing.  This growth has so far largely offset the impact on profit of
discontinuing the Mailine service in the autumn of last year.  In Personnel the
market is deteriorating and in September and October operating profit was below
the prior year.  Nevertheless temporary placements outside the IT sector,
Australia and the City of London are still showing some growth.  We believe
that the Personnel Division is continuing to out-perform other quoted companies
in its sector and is gaining market share.  In Logistics the difficult trading
experienced in the final quarter of last year has, as previously indicated,
continued into the first half of this year.  Growth is expected to resume in
the second half following contract wins in the last six months.

Board Changes
_____________

Lionel Stammers, who joined Hays at its listing in 1989, retires at the
conclusion of the Annual General Meeting today after twelve years' exemplary
service as a Non-Executive Director.  I would like to express my thanks to
Lionel for his contribution to the Board and particularly for the help and
support he has given me in recent months.  I wish him all happiness during his
retirement.

We expect to announce the appointment of additional Non-Executive Directors
shortly.

Outlook
_______

In the current climate it is difficult to predict the full year outcome.  Our
Commercial and Logistics Divisions are less sensitive to changes in the economy
although some major customers are currently cautious about major outsourcing
initiatives, or are delaying projects.  Personnel is more sensitive to the
economic environment, but will continue to strengthen its relative position in
the markets addressed'.

Enquiries
_________

Bob Lawson, Chairman, Hays plc                                 01483 302203
Neil McLachlan, Finance Director, Hays plc
Graham Williams, Executive Director, Hays plc

Jon Coles, Brunswick                                          020 7404 5959