UK's Hays drops after lower first-half net fee, CEO departure

Hays

27/02/2026 08:24

** Shares of British recruiter Hays HAYS.L down 6.3% at 42p

** Stock top loser on the FTSE 250 .FTMC, which is up 0.3%

** Co reports first‑half like‑for‑like net fees of 453.3 mln pounds ($611.73 mln), down 9% year‑on‑year as macroeconomic and political uncertainty weighed on permanent hiring and softened client demand

** Co says CEO Dirk Hahn has stepped down for personal reasons with immediate effect

** Says Hahn will be replaced by chief digital and technology officer Mark Dearnley on an interim basis

** YTD, stock has fallen 20.3%

($1 = 0.7410 pounds)

 (Reporting by Tuhina in Bengaluru)

 ((tuhina@thomsonreuters.com ;))