CEO Appointment

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Hays plc has appointed Mark Dearnley as Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect, following his tenure as interim CEO since February 27, 2026. Dearnley brings extensive experience in digital and business transformation, having previously served as Hays' Chief Digital and Technology Officer and holding senior digital roles at Inchcape plc, HM Revenue & Customs, and Vodafone Group plc. The Board expressed confidence in his leadership to navigate industry changes and macroeconomic uncertainty, highlighting his understanding of the business and client needs.

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Hays PLC

18 May 2026

Hays plc ("Hays")

Chief Executive Officer Appointment

Hays today announces the appointment of Mark Dearnley as Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") with immediate effect, having served as interim CEO since 27 February 2026.

Mark is a highly experienced senior executive with a strong track record of leading digital and business transformation across multiple industries. Prior to being appointed interim CEO, Mark was Hays Chief Digital and Technology Officer. He joined Hays from Inchcape plc, where he held the role of Group Chief Digital Officer. Other previous roles include Partner at Bain & Company, Chief Digital & Information Officer at HM Revenue & Customs, and Chief Information Officer, UK at Vodafone Group plc. He is currently a Trustee at The King's Trust.

Michael Findlay, Chair of Hays, said:

"The Board is delighted to appoint Mark as CEO. Following a comprehensive external and internal search, the Board unanimously felt that Mark has the outstanding leadership skills and experience to lead the business forward.

Mark brings significant experience in driving transformation across large, global organisations. His expertise in this landscape will be hugely valuable to Hays as the industry navigates fundamental changes and macroeconomic uncertainty. As Group Chief Digital and Technology Officer, and more recently as interim CEO, he has developed a strong understanding of our business and the needs of our clients. We look forward to working with him as he leads Hays in its next phase."

Mark Dearnley said:

"I am very excited to be taking on this role. I feel really energised by what we can achieve together at Hays, and confident in the direction we will be taking as a business.

Serving as interim CEO over the past few months has only reinforced what I already knew, this is a brilliant business with great people, a huge amount of purpose and massive potential."

No further information is required to be disclosed pursuant to Listing Rule 6.4.8R.

ENDS

Enquiries

Hays plc

Rachel Ford
Kean Marden

FGS Global
Guy Lamming / Anjali Unnikrishnan / Richard Crowley

General Counsel & Company Secretary

Head of Investor Relations and M&A

+44 (0) 333 010 2682

+44 (0) 333 010 7092

hays@fgsglobal.com

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