Chairman's Statement

Hays PLC
31 October 2000


Hays plc

At the company's AGM today, Ronnie Frost, Chairman of Hays plc announced that
he will step down from the Board in June 2001.  In a statement to shareholders
he said:

'As you know, over the last four years Hays has been developing a Board
structure to take the company forward into the next phase of its development.
During this period I have gradually reduced my working week as the new Board
has become established.  This process is now nearing completion and I plan to
retire as a director of Hays plc on 30 June 2001.

I am delighted to announce that Bob Lawson, who is currently Deputy Chairman
and who has been a non-executive director of Hays since 1998, will become
Chairman at the end of this financial year on 1 July 2001.  Bob is a qualified
engineer and MBA.  He has been Chief Executive of Electrocomponents plc since
1992 and has successfully led the growth of this FTSE 100 company.

After resigning as a Director of Hays I will nevertheless remain available to
support Bob for at least twelve months following his appointment as Chairman.'


For further information please contact

Ronnie Frost, Chairman, Hays plc              01483 302 203
Jon Coles, Brunswick                          020 7404 5959