DGAP-News: Robert Walters PLC: Trading update for the third quarter ended 30 September 2016

Financial and operational results

- Good performance with Group net fee income up 8%* (23% actual).

- 68% of Group net fee income generated outside of the UK.

- Asia Pacific net fee income up 4%* (31% actual).

- Australia delivered another quarter of net fee income growth in constant currency.

- Japan continues to be candidate short with significant growth opportunities.

- Activity levels across Greater China remain muted.

- UK grew net fee income by 9% year-on-year.

- Resource Solutions, our recruitment process outsourcing business, performed strongly benefiting from the significant investment made during the first half to implement a number of major client wins.

- Growth across commerce finance and the regions.

- Financial services remained relatively subdued but with signs of a pick-up in activity levels towards the end of the quarter.

- Europe net fee income up 8%* (27% actual).

- Netherlands, Spain, Germany and Switzerland all produced net fee income growth in excess of 20% in constant currency.

- Net fee income in France was broadly flat in constant currency against tough comparatives.

- New office opened in Antwerp.

- Other International, comprising the US, Middle East, South Africa and Brazil, net fee income up 28%* (50% actual).

- Group headcount of 3,098 (30 June 2016: 2,902) with the majority of the uplift in Resource Solutions.

- Strong balance sheet with net cash of £18.6m as at 30 September 2016 (30 Sep 2015: £14.0m).

Robert Walters, Chief Executive, commented:

"The Group has had a good third quarter increasing net fee income by 8% in constant currency. All of the Group's regions grew net fee income which coupled with a strong performance from Resource Solutions, our recruitment process outsourcing business, again demonstrates the strength of our global and diversified business.

"Current trading remains in line with market expectations."

The Group will publish a trading update for the fourth quarter ending 31 December 2016 on 10 January 2017.

Find further information on our investors site.

Robert Walters is a market-leading international specialist professional recruitment group with over 3,098 staff spanning 25 countries. We specialise in the placement of the highest calibre professionals across the disciplines of accountancy and finance, banking, engineering, HR, IT, legal, sales, marketing, secretarial and support and supply chain and procurement. Our client base ranges from the world's leading blue-chip corporates and financial services organisations through to SMEs and start-ups. The Group's outsourcing division, Resource Solutions is a market leader in recruitment process outsourcing and managed services.

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Robert Walters plc +44 20 7379 3333
Robert Walters, Chief Executive
Alan Bannatyne, Chief Financial Officer

Newgate Communications +44 20 7680 6550
Steffan Williams
Madeleine Palmstierna