Overview
Hays plc is a specialist recruitment group led by chief executive Mark Dearnley. For the year ended 30 June 2026 it reported turnover of £6,421.2 million and net fees of £905.5 million, down 7% (8% like-for-like) from £972.4 million.[1] Temporary and contracting work produced 64% of net fees (£583.9 million) and permanent placement 36% (£321.6 million).[1]
Hays operated in 23 countries at 30 June 2026 and plans to concentrate on 16 under its “Momentum” strategy; consultant headcount fell 14% to 5,194 over the year.[1] Pre-exceptional operating profit rose 7% to £48.6 million on cost reductions, but exceptional charges produced a statutory loss before tax of £54.5 million.[1] Its scale and mix of temporary and permanent work make it one of the largest recruiters in this list; the planned withdrawal from seven countries and a smaller consultant base are the main points for clients to weigh.
Hays features
- Temporary and contract recruitment
- Permanent placement
- Operations in 23 countries (16 planned)
- 5,194 consultants at June 2026
Hays pricing
Permanent placements charged as a fee on salary; contractors billed at hourly or daily rates; not published.
Hays strengths and limitations
Strengths
- Largest reported turnover among firms in this list
- Balanced mix of temporary and permanent recruitment
- Publicly reported results
- Pre-exceptional profit rose 7% in FY2026
Limitations
- Net fees fell 7% in FY2026
- Withdrawing from seven countries
- Consultant headcount down 14%
- Statutory loss in FY2026
Appears in
Hays alternatives and competitors
Alternatives to Hays: companies ranked in the same lists.
- Robert Half
Korn Ferry
PageGroup (Michael Page)
SThree
Robert Walters
Boyden- Egon Zehnder
Odgers
Spencer Stuart- Russell Reynolds Associates
- Heidrick & Struggles
Is this your company?
Update the description, logo, image and link through the submission form. Editors review every change.