Recruiter Hays half-year profit surges on hiring demand; finance director to retire

People walk through the Canary Wharf financial district of London, Britain, December 7, 2018. REUTERS/Simon Dawson

Feb 24 (Reuters) – Hays Plc’s half-year profit more than quadrupled, helped by a rebound in new hiring in Germany and the UK, with higher demand from technology and Life Sciences sectors, the British recruitment agency said on Thursday.

The company added that its finance director Paul Venables has decided to retire on Sept. 30.

The British company, which is largely focused on hiring for white-collar roles, said pre-tax profit soared to 97.7 million pounds ($131.8 million) for the six months ended Dec. 31, from 21.1 million pounds a year earlier.

($1 = 0.7415 pounds)

Reporting by Amna Karimi in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich

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