PAMELA NEWENHAM

Recruitment firm Hays has reaffirmed its full-year operating profit outlook of about £140 million after seeing strong growth in net fees in the UK and Ireland.

The company said demand in the UK and Ireland was boosted by a pick up in permanent placements in finance, information technology and construction.

It reported broad-based growth of 11 per cent, driven by permenant growth of 17 per cent.

Net fees in continental Europe also grew by 7 per cent in the fourth quarter but fees in Asia were flat. Australia net fees decreased by 7 per cent.

Hays chief executive Alistair Cox said the firm delivered another good set of quarterly results as it continued to capitalise on good conditions in many of its key markets.

“Looking ahead we see clear growth opportunities for the Group and therefore during the quarter we increased consultant headcount by 3 per cent, the highest quarterly rise since September 2011,” he added.

Additional reporting: Reuters