14 June 2021

SThree plc

("SThree" or the "Group")

Appointment of new Chief Financial Officer

SThree plc, the only global pure-play specialist staffing business focused on roles in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ('STEM'), is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Beach as CFO. Andrew will join the Group on 5 July 2021 and will be formally appointed to the Board on 15 July 2021.

Andrew Beach is an accomplished CFO with over 13 years' experience in listed companies and has relevant global experience of business transformation in fast-paced and high-growth companies, fully complementing SThree's ambitions, entrepreneurial drive and strong market positions.

Andrew was previously CFO of Hyve Group plc, a global exhibitions business, and was instrumental in leading it through a period of significant transformation and rapid international growth which resulted in its promotion to the FTSE 250.  Before joining Hyve in 2016, Andrew held a number of roles at Ebiquity plc, joining as Group Financial Controller in 2007 and quickly being appointed as CFO in 2008. In 2014 he was promoted to Chief Financial and Operating Officer. Andrew trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PwC, working with them from 1998 until 2007.

Further to the announcement on 25 January 2021, the current CFO, Alex Smith, will step down from the Board in July, following which he will remain with the company to effect an orderly handover.

James Bilefield, Chairman, commented:

"The Board and I are looking forward to working with Andrew in taking the Group forward to its next stage of growth and development. An accomplished CFO, Andrew's focus on driving growth, best practice and delivery of data-led performance management will be central to the delivery of our core purpose to bring skilled people together to build the future."

"On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Alex for his significant contributions to SThree since joining the Group as CFO in 2008. His energy and drive has helped to build and steer SThree's financial strategy, approach to risk management and investor relationships and we wish him every success in the future." 

Mark Dorman, CEO, commented:

"I am delighted to welcome Andrew to SThree and I'm looking forward to working closely with him as we continue to drive change and further deliver rapid growth and financial strength.  Andrew's impressive experience in ambitious companies will be crucial to delivering our vision through the next stages of our development."

"I would like to extend my deepest thanks to Alex for his contributions to the Group for over 13 years and for his partnership and guidance since I joined the Company. He has directed us expertly through challenging market conditions and more recently the delivery of a successful capital markets day, resulting in the excellent financial and share price performance we see today.  On behalf of the entire senior leadership team at SThree, I wish Alex the very best."

Andrew Beach commented:

"This is an exciting time to join SThree. I'm drawn by its strong leadership, clear strategy and vision.  In spite of headwinds across the talent and recruitment industries during the pandemic, the Group is performing strongly, with an ever-increasing demand for STEM skills globally.  I look forward to working with the Board and the senior leadership team to truly fulfil SThree's ambitions and contribute to its purpose of bringing skilled people together to build the future."

The Company confirms that there is no further information about Andrew Beach requiring disclosure under paragraph 9.6.13 (2) to (6) of the listing rules of the Financial Conduct Authority.

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information under the Market Abuse Regulation (Regulation (EU) No.596/2014).

Notes to editors

SThree plc brings skilled people together to build the future.  It is the only global pure-play specialist staffing business focused on roles in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ('STEM'), providing permanent and flexible contract talent to a diverse base of over 9,000 clients in 15 countries.

The Group's c.2,600 staff cover the Technology, Life Sciences, Engineering and Banking & Finance sectors.

SThree plc is quoted on the Premium Segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority under the ticker symbol STEM and also has a US level one ADR facility, symbol SERTY.