Pre-Close Trading Statement

RNS Number:8009M
SHL Group PLC
26 June 2003


For Immediate Release                                            26 June 2003



                                SHL GROUP PLC

                         PRE-CLOSE TRADING STATEMENT



TRADING


As announced at SHL's Annual General Meeting on 6 May 2003, trading overall in
the first quarter was in line with the same period last year despite a
continuing down turn in the recruitment sector.  In April, trading broadly
continued the first quarter's trend.  However, in May, revenues deteriorated
significantly against last year, with all regions except Asia down on 2002; the
trading so far in June is showing a similar trend.  As a result the Board
expects that half year revenue will be down around 5% on the prior year and
earnings for this period will only be slightly above the second half of 2002.


Management are taking action to improve sales performance, whilst continuing to
exercise tight cost control across the business to align costs with the
reduction in revenues.   However, there is invariably a delay effect associated
with these cost control actions prior to the savings coming through.


With regard to the likely outturn for the full year, market conditions make it
difficult to draw any firm conclusions at this early stage.  The summer months
are usually a quiet period for the Group and financial progress will depend on
SHL's traditionally strong period of September through to November.


Despite the difficult trading conditions the Board continues to focus on new
product introductions, our web based delivery and cash conservation, to ensure
the business  will be well positioned to take advantage of the upturn when it
arrives.



CHAIRMAN


The Board expects to be able to make an announcement regarding the appointment
of a new Chairman shortly.


INTERIM ANNOUNCEMENT


SHL Group plc will issue its interim results for the 6 months ended 30 June
2003, on 4 September 2003.



For further information, please contact:


SHL Group plc                                        020 8335 8184
John Bateson
Emma Lancaster

Buchanan Communications                              020 7466 5000
Tim Anderson




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END

TSTFFMRTMMATMAJ