Good News for Businesses as CFOs Optimistic on Economic Growth

Robert Half Survey Finds Business and Financial Services Sectors Tipped for Growth

LONDON, November 4, 2010 - It's not all doom and gloom as UK finance leaders give jobseekers a
reason to be optimistic, suggests a new study. More than six in 10 (61%) CFOs
interviewed believe the economy will remain steady over the next 12 months,
and nearly one quarter (24%) believe that it will grow. Only 15% of those
surveyed said they thought the economy would contract. Publicly listed and
private company CFOs are the most optimistic with 97% and 87%, respectively,
expecting the economy to grow or stay the same. Public sector finance leaders
showed the least confidence, with 26% expecting the economy to contract.

The survey, developed by Robert Half, a leading provider of specialised
recruitment services, was conducted by an independent research firm and is
based on interviews with more than 200 CFOs at companies throughout the UK.

CFOs were asked, "In the next 12 months do you expect the UK economy to
grow, contract or stay the same?" Their responses:

    Grow            24%
    Stay the same   61%
    Contract        15%

                   100%

"Finance leaders are feeling more positive about the UK's economic
outlook, particularly in the private sector," said Phil Sheridan, Managing
Director of Robert Half UK. "As confidence grows, companies will need highly
skilled staff to leverage the increased business opportunities that accompany
a more profitable economic environment."

When asked which sector will experience the greatest growth, more than
two-thirds (35%) of finance leaders indicated that companies with a business
services offering would fare most favourably. This was followed by the
financial services industry, with nearly one-quarter (24%) of the response.

CFOs were also asked "which sectors do you anticipate will grow the most
in the next 12 months?" Their responses:

    Business services   35%
    Financial services  24%
    Insurance           15%
    Telecomms            6%
    Retail/wholesale     6%
    Other               14%

                       100%

Sheridan adds, "While an air of caution remains, increased optimism in
business and financial services may result in a strengthened hiring outlook
in these areas. Renewed confidence in financial services, in particular, is
indication of the industry's resilience following a period of unprecedented
challenge and uncertainty."

About the Survey

The national study was developed by Robert Half, a leading provider of
highly skilled professionals on a temporary, interim and permanent basis. It
was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on more than 200
telephone interviews with CFOs from a random sample of UK companies. For the
study to be statistically representative and ensure that companies from all
segments were represented, the sample was stratified by geographic region and
number of employees.

About Robert Half

Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialised
recruitment firm and is a member of the S&P 500. In March 2010, Robert Half
International was again ranked first in its industry on FORTUNE(R) magazine's
list of the World's Most Admired Companies.

The company operates five divisions in the UK:

    - Robert Half(R) Finance & Accounting for temporary and
      permanent finance and accounting professionals.
    - Robert Half(R) Management Resources, for senior-level interim
      professionals in the fields of accounting and finance.
    - Robert Half(R) Financial Services Group for banking and capital
      markets professionals.
    - Robert Half(R) Technology for permanent and project IT
      professionals.
    - OfficeTeam(R) for highly skilled temporary and permanent
      administrative support.

www.roberthalf.co.uk

www.twitter.com/roberthalfuk

For further information please contact: Kristie Perrotte, Robert Half International, Tel : +44(0)2073312222, Email: kristie.perrotte at rhi.net