BPS, Personnel & Commercial Core Acquisitions

Hays PLC
3 November 1999



Acquisitions in BPS, Personnel and Commercial Core activities

Hays  plc today announces the acquisition of Hutchinson Smith Limited, a  UK-
based  IT contracting and solutions business, and Cannon Couriers, a  London-
based same-day delivery service.

Hutchinson  Smith offers a complementary range of services to Hays'  existing
Business  Process  Support (BPS) and Personnel operations through  its  three
wholly-owned subsidiaries, Redfern Consultancy (Redfern), Computer Team Group
Limited (CTG) and HS Managed Insourcing Limited (HSMI).  CTG and HSMI,  which
provide permanent and contract IT-recruitment and managed HR solutions,  will
be  merged with Hays IT Personnel, substantially increasing the number of  IT
contractors  and making it one of the UK's largest IT recruitment  companies.
Redfern,  an  SAP  Consulting Partner, acts as a  strategic  IT  consultancy,
offering  systems development and integration.  Its acquisition will  support
the delivery of integrated customer solutions currently offered by Hays BPS.

Hutchinson Smith was acquired for an initial consideration of £27.75  million
including debt.  Further payments up to a maximum of £13.0 million may become
payable by Hays, conditional upon the level of profits achieved by Redfern in
the  two years to 30 June 2001. In the year to 31 July 1999, Hutchinson Smith
had  a proforma operating profit of £2.6 million, on turnover of £75 million.
At 31 July 1999 it had debt-free net assets of £6.6 million.

Cannon Couriers was acquired for a total consideration of £5.1 million  debt-
free, payable over a 12 month period.  At completion the business had audited
debt  free net assets of £700k.  For the year to 31 March 1999, the  business
had  an  adjusted  net operating profit of £800k on sales  of  £4.0  million.
Cannon  Couriers will be integrated with Hays DX' same-day delivery  service,
strengthening their position in the UK market and making them a market-leader
in the important London area.

Ronnie Frost, Chairman commented:

'Hutchinson  Smith  is an excellent strategic fit with our business.  Redfern
extends  the  range of services provided by our IT-related  business  support
operations,  whilst  CTG  and HSMI will further  strengthen  our  growing  IT
personnel business making Hays IT one of the top 5 in the UK.

Cannon  Couriers is a strategic acquisition that builds on our  objective  of
becoming a leading player in the fast-growing UK express courier market.'


For further information, please contact:

Ronnie Frost    Chairman, Hays plc             01483 302 203

Andrew Grant              Brunswick            0171 404 5959
Corinne Daniels