Finance
Hays cuts dividend by 84% as CEO Hahn departs
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 27, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 27, 2026
Global Banking & Finance Review®
Company
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 27, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 27, 2026
Hays is reshuffling leadership after CEO Dirk Hahn stepped down with immediate effect and the group slashed its interim dividend to 0.15p (from 0.95p) as a weak hiring backdrop hit first-half profitability. The recruiter said uncertainty is weighing on permanent hiring, while Germany remains a key d
Feb 27 (Reuters) - British recruiter Hays announced the departure of CEO Dirk Hahn on Friday and slashed its dividend by 84% as a tough hiring market caused by economic and political uncertainties dented its half-yearly profit, sending shares 6% lower.
Hahn is stepping down immediately after nearly two and a half years in the role, citing personal reasons. Hahn briefly took medical leave in November 2025 and returned in January this year.
He will be replaced by chief digital and technology officer Mark Dearnley on an interim basis.
Hays on Friday reported a 9% fall in first-half like-for-like net fees blaming economic and political uncertainty for slower permanent hiring and weaker client demand.
Prior to taking on the CEO role, Hahn led Hays' expansion in Germany, which now accounts for 33% of its net fees.
The 57-year-old German national replaced Alistair Cox as CEO in September 2023 to lead the recruitment firm at a time when hiring activity was declining and candidates were becoming more wary of switching jobs.
"During his tenure, he demonstrated exceptional leadership, notably in building our German business and resetting Hays' strategy," Chair Mark Findlay said in a statement.
Shares in Hays have more than halved in value during Hahn's tenure, in line with its rivals for that same period.
The group reported pre-exceptional operating profit of 20.1 million pounds ($27.07 million) for the six months ending December 31, 2025 compared with 25.5 million pounds a year earlier.
The company's German segment has continued to struggle due to a sluggish labour market and rising unemployment. German public and private companies have cut average working hours to manage costs, hurting temporary and contracting revenue at Hays.
The company cut its dividend to 0.15 pence from 0.95 pence for the period.
($1 = 0.7424 pounds)
(Reporting by Simone Lobo and Nithyashree R B in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonia Cheema and Tomasz Janowski)
Hays said a tough hiring market driven by economic and political uncertainty dented its half-yearly profit, leading it to cut the dividend to 0.15 pence from 0.95 pence.
Hays' chief digital and technology officer, Mark Dearnley, will replace Dirk Hahn on an interim basis.
Hays reported a 9% fall in first-half like-for-like net fees and pre-exceptional operating profit of 20.1 million pounds for the six months ended Dec. 31, 2025, down from 25.5 million a year earlier.
Hays shares fell about 6% after the company announced the CEO departure and dividend cut.
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