SThree plc 07 June 2006 Trading Update SThree, one of the UK's leading specialist staffing businesses, is today issuing an update on trading for the six months ended 31 May 2006. At the time of the preliminary results in February, the Group indicated that it expected the momentum seen in the closing months of 2005 to continue in the first half. SThree is today reporting that trading in the first six months has remained robust and that the Board is pleased with the Group's overall performance in the period. SThree made 3,475 permanent placements during the first half, an increase of 32.0% (2005: 2,633). The Group reported a further healthy increase in average fees from permanent recruitment. At 31 May 2006, SThree had 4,335 active contractors, representing an increase of 14.8% over the prior year (2005: 3,777). Contractor gross profit per day rates also showed moderate growth. Russell Clements, Chief Executive, commented: "The Group has continued to make good progress in the first half, against a background of healthy demand for specialist staff in the UK and Europe. Both our permanent and contract businesses reported strong growth, with the permanent business, in particular, continuing to benefit from both wage inflation and our ongoing success in placing higher-salaried candidates. The Board remains confident that the Group's well-established strategy will underpin progress in the current year." SThree will be announcing its interim results for the six months ended 31 May 2006 on Monday 24 July 2006. - Ends - Enquiries: SThree plc 020 7292 3838 Russell Clements, Chief Executive Officer Michael Nelson, Chief Financial Officer Citigate Dewe Rogerson 020 7638 9571 Kevin Smith / Seb Hoyle Notes to editors SThree, founded in 1986, is one of the leading specialist staffing businesses in the UK. The Group provides both permanent and contract specialist staffing services in the UK and Europe, primarily in the information and communications technology ("ICT") sector and, to an increasing extent, the banking and finance, accountancy, human resources and engineering sectors. Following the establishment of its first business, Computer Futures, in 1986, the Group adopted a multi-brand strategy, establishing new operations to address growth opportunities. SThree currently operates 12 brands, the 3 largest being Computer Futures, Progressive and Huxley Associates, and has 30 offices in the UK and 9 offices in mainland Europe, in Belgium, The Netherlands, France, Germany and Ireland. SThree has a selective approach to clients and focuses on high margin opportunities, predominantly within the small to medium-sized enterprises ("SME") market, which SThree defines as including autonomous divisions of large corporates. The Group does not pursue a high volume/low margin model. SThree has a diverse, international client list of over 4,000 clients. SThree plc is quoted on the Official List of the UK Listing Authority under the ticker symbol STHR. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange