UK recruitment group opens in Hong Kong to serve multinational clients
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    A UK-headquartered recruitment agency, Hays plc, celebrated today (June 29) its entry into the Hong Kong market.

     Hays plc is the UK's largest publicly listed recruitment group and a leading specialist recruitment and HR services company. To extend its global coverage, the company decided to establish a foothold in Asia, particularly in China, through Hong Kong.  

     The company entered the Hong Kong market with the acquisition of the first CEPA-qualified Hong Kong recruitment agency, St George's Harvey Nash. Since that acquisition last month, the company has grown the Hong Kong office ¡V Hays Executive - from 30 to approximately 45 staff and plans further expansion.  

     Commenting on the acquisition, Mr Denis Waxman, Chief Executive of Hays plc, said: "We are delighted that St George's Harvey Nash has joined the Hays Group. We are excited by the location, quality and potential of this acquisition as well as the strength, reputation and professionalism of the local management team. We have identified the People's Republic of China as a highly attractive growth market for specialist recruitment. The acquisition of St George's Harvey Nash provides Hays with a strong platform to expand the Hays business model into the Chinese market.

     "Hong Kong is a strategically important market for Hays plc, as most of our multinational clients have their regional headquarters here. Therefore, in order to maintain our close contacts with decision makers in Asia, it is important for the Group establish a presence in Hong Kong."

     Currently, Hays has Asia offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou.

     The opening of Hays Executive was only the first step in the company's long-term development strategy in Hong Kong and the region; another Hays office here is due by September. Apart from Hays Executive, the executive search arm of Hays plc, more Hays brands will be introduced to Hong Kong in future.

     The Acting Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Simon Galpin, warmly welcomed Hays' decision to build its strategic base in Hong Kong to serve clients in Asia. He said, "We are encouraged that Hays, one of the leading international HR firms, has come to our city. Invest Hong Kong looks forward to welcoming more outstanding service providers, like Hays, using Hong Kong as a based to expand in the region. We wish Hays every success in its future development in Hong Kong and in Asia."  

     With over 340 offices in 20 countries, Hays plc is a leading international HR services firm. It provides specialist recruitment of permanent and temporary, skilled and professional staff, as well as comprehensive HR services. Sectors covered include accountancy, taxation, construction & property, IT, banking, insurance, financial services, legal, call centres, HR, sales, marketing, purchasing and education. The Group's customers range from start-ups to blue chips across the commercial, industrial, financial, professional and public and not-for-profit sectors.

     The Group has over 5,000 consultants globally. Last year, it filled over 160,000 temporary and permanent specialist jobs with over 30,000 employers. For further information, please visit the website at www.hays.com.hk/executive.

     Invest Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government department charged with encouraging and facilitating inward investment into the city by providing the support needed to establish a business presence here. For more information, please visit the website at www.investhk.gov.hk.

Ends/Thursday, June 29, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:31

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