Diversity Still Lacking Amongst FTSE 100 CEOs

Financial Background Remains Key For A Top Position Robert Half Analysis Finds

LONDON, March 23, 2010 - Following the latest reorganisation of the FTSE 100 Index,
which came into effect this week, the annual Robert Half FTSE 100 CEO Tracker
has revealed that over half (51%) of serving Chief Executive Officers (CEOs)
in the current FTSE 100 Index have strong financial backgrounds*.

However the analysis, conducted by specialist recruitment
company Robert Half, has highlighted that whilst diversity among the FTSE 100
Index has come a long way, it could be further encouraged at the board level,
especially when it comes to gender, nationality and age. Analysis of today's
FTSE 100 leaders has found that:

    - There are four women on the FTSE 100 Index list
    - The majority of CEOs (59%) are British nationals
    - Four of the FTSE 100 CEOs are under the age of 45

While the majority of CEOs are British nationals, the
remaining leaders come from a wide range of countries, including Mexico,
Syria, India and South Africa. The youngest FTSE 100 CEO is Oleg Novachuk
who, at only 38, runs the copper mining company Kazakhmys. Jaime Lomelín of
Fresnillo, who has been at the helm for over 20 years, retains his title as
being the oldest CEO in the FTSE 100 Index, aged 74.

Financial background

For the past two years the number of FTSE 100 CEOs (51%) with
a financial background has continued to dominate the Index, indicating the
importance of understanding economic factors when leading a business.

Of the 11 FTSE 100 CEOs who have been appointed over the past
year, seven leaders have financial backgrounds, including Michael Queen of 3i
and Peter Voser of Royal Dutch Shell - who were both promoted from Finance
Director at their respective companies.

Phil Sheridan, Managing Director of Robert Half UK, said:
"Recently we have seen unprecedented turmoil within the business world, but
the consistent strong showing of CEOs who have a financial background is
testament to the fact that financially minded leaders are regarded as firm
guides through challenging economic times."

Titles, tenure, and education

Seven of the FTSE 100 CEOs hold titles including Dame Marjorie
Scardino of Pearson, the international media and publishing company, and Sir
Martin Sorrell who also holds the accolade of longest serving FTSE 100 CEO.
Sorrell, of advertising and communications giant WPP, has been at the top for
nearly 25 years.

Sorrell is also one of a clutch of FTSE 100 CEOs who attended
the elite halls of Oxbridge. In an increase on last year, 23 of current CEOs
attended either Oxford or Cambridge with the vast majority of the rest
holding some form of higher education qualification.

About Robert Half

Robert Half pioneered specialised recruitment services and today is the
world's leader in the field. Founded in 1948, the company is traded on the
New York Stock Exchange (symbol: RHI) and operates four separate divisions in
the UK, each serving distinct markets. They include: Robert Half Finance &
Accounting and Robert Half Management Resources, for temporary, full-time and
interim professionals, respectively, in the fields of accounting and finance;
OfficeTeam, for highly skilled temporary administrative support and Robert
Half Financial Services Group, for high-calibre banking and capital markets
professionals. There are more than 360 Robert Half staffing locations
worldwide.

For more information about Robert Half please visit
www.roberthalf.co.uk

About the Robert Half FTSE 100 CEO Tracker

The Robert Half FTSE 100 CEO Tracker is conducted each year in
March. Research is conducted using company websites, annual reports and CEO
appointment news coverage.

About FTSE 100 Index

The FTSE 100 share index is a stock market index made up of
the 100 largest UK registered companies in terms of their market
capitalization. www.ftse.com

*Financial experience / background signifies those with a
qualification in accountancy (for example a Chartered Accountant), those who
have held a previous FD, CFO or similar financial role (for example financial
controller) or those who have worked within the banking industry

For further information or to arrange an interview, please
contact:

    Alex Perry
    Burson-Marsteller
    +44(0)20-7300-6416
    alex.perry@bm.com

    Or

    Katherine Patch
    Burson-Marsteller
    +44(0)20-7300-6106
    katherine.patch@bm.com

Alex Perry, Burson-Marsteller, +44(0)20-7300-6416, alex.perry at bm.com ; Katherine Patch, Burson-Marsteller, +44(0)20-7300-6106, katherine.patch at bm.com