Global recruiter Hays has seen profits fall but is currently seeing return to growth driven by its international business, according to its preliminary results for the year ended 30 June 2010.

The group’s results reveal:

* LFL (like-for-like) growth represents organic growth of continuing activities at constant currency. There were the same number of trading days in 2010 and 2009.

** 2010 numbers are presented before exceptional charges of £41.4m, comprising £29m relating to the OFT fine that is currently under appeal and £12.4m non-recurring restructuring costs relating principally to the UK back office automation project.

Alistair Cox, chief executive of Hays, says: “After a tough first half to the year, we returned to growth in the second half driven by excellent performances in Asia Pacific and Germany. In the fourth quarter, 20 countries across the group delivered net fee growth of more than 10% as we added headcount to capitalise on the upturn.

“The outlook across 90% of our markets, including the UK private sector, continues to improve. During the downturn we invested in building a stronger, more efficient and broader based business, and with our major investment programmes now substantially complete, this ideally positions us to capitalise on the significant growth opportunities that are increasingly present across our markets.”