Global specialist recruitment firm Hays has appointed Dirk Hahn (above) as CEO, succeeding long-standing previous CEO Alistair Cox.

Hahn is a long-standing member of the Hays Executive Board and is currently managing director of Hays Germany and CEMEA (Continental Europe, Middle East and Africa), where he oversees around 5,500 employees.

He has held roles at Hays including CEO of Hays’ GSCN (German-speaking countries and Nordics), and group head of strategy, as well as other senior positions internationally.

Outgoing CEO Cox commented: “It has been a tremendous privilege to lead Hays for the past 16 years and I am extremely proud of what has been achieved… Having worked with Dirk throughout my tenure, he has been an integral member of the senior leadership team and has a deep understanding of the business, and I am confident he will make every success of the role.”