UK Hiring Difficulties Reported in Global Financial Employment Survey

Talent Shortages Persist for UK Employers in the Areas of Finance, Audit and Accounting

LONDON, September 27, 2010 - Financial leaders from across the world today reported challenges in
finding skilled professionals for finance, accounting and operational support
positions, according to the latest annual Global Financial Employment Monitor
study by recruitment specialists Robert Half (www.roberthalf.co.uk).

The study, focusing on hiring difficulties, retention concerns and other
staffing-related issues, includes responses from more than 6,300 financial
leaders across 19 countries.

Of those questioned in the UK, particular difficulties were reported in
finding skilled candidates in the areas of finance (29 percent), audit (25
percent), accounting (16 percent), and compliance (16 percent).

The study also evaluated how concerned employers were about losing top
financial performers, 52 percent of respondents in the UK were concerned,
higher than the global average of 45 percent.

Phil Sheridan, Managing Director of Robert Half UK, commented: "It is
clear from this study that finance and business leaders around the world are
beginning to experience difficulties in finding the right talent. Employers
are now looking at new ways to retain their top people."

UK financial leaders are implementing a range of measures to address
recruiting concerns. Asked how they plan to attract talent in the coming
year, nearly two thirds of respondents cited increasing compensation as their
most common method followed by investing in training and providing
opportunities for career advancement.

A snapshot of other participating countries hiring challenges revealed
further difficulties recruiting finance professionals in Italy (25 percent),
Brazil (22 percent), France (22 percent) and The Netherlands (22 percent).
Again, the UK topped the list, with nearly a third of respondents (29
percent) facing difficulties in finding skilled job candidates in finance.
According to the study, highly skilled accountants are toughest to find in
Singapore (26 percent), with nearly one in four (23 percent) of respondents
in Luxembourg struggling to find applicants for operational support
positions.

Further signs of a rise in business demand were also highlighted in the
study, with respondents from across the globe saying that they anticipate
making the most hires at the entry and junior levels, as cited by 26 percent
and 25 percent of those surveyed, respectively. Many employers anticipate
hiring more experienced professionals as well, with the UK topping the list
in Europe of businesses expected to hire at a senior level over the next six
months (24 percent).

Sheridan continued: "Although the global hiring mood remains cautious,
there are signs that business confidence is rising. For finance
professionals, this has created opportunities for those looking for new
finance positions."

Now in its fourth year, the Robert Half Global Financial Employment
Monitor examines the hiring landscape in accounting and finance, with issues
covered from an international perspective that include:

    - Executive confidence

    - The challenges in finding highly skilled professionals

    - Roles in which companies expect the most hiring activity

    - Retention concerns

For a full copy of the report, please go to
www.roberthalf.com/gfem.

Phil Sheridan, Managing Director of Robert Half, is available for further comment. In order to arrange an interview, please contact Georgie Bentinck on +44(0)20-7300-6210 or email georgie.bentinck at bm.com.