* Reports FY adj pretax profit up 99%
* Sees double-digit growth in net fees, profit in FY22
* Shares jump 9%
(Recasts, adds shares, background, context)
By Amna Karimi and Yadarisa Shabong
Jan 31 (Reuters) - Recruiter SThree posted record
annual profits on Monday and forecast double-digit growth this
financial year, driven by a global hiring boom as firms rush to
fill vacancies and invest in the recovery from the pandemic.
Shares in the British company, which helps hire staff in the
science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) sectors
across 15 countries, were up 9% at 0900 GMT.
"Whether it is engineers building green infrastructure,
developers aiding digital transformation or the scientists
helping to develop the next life-changing drug, we are proud to
have placed more than 22,000 skilled people (in fiscal 2021),"
SThree's interim Chief Executive Timo Lehne said.
Recruiters, including peers Hays, PageGroup
and Robert Walters, have in the past year
benefited from tight labour markets and a raging war for talent
as economies recover, employees move jobs and employers seek new
ways of flexible working.
SThree said its largest technology sector was driven by
rising demand for infrastructure and software development roles
from private and public sectors across its major markets, and
clients pouring money into technology transformation.
British education group Pearson announced plans on
Monday to expand its offering to businesses looking to train and
retain workers amid tight labour markets and rapid technological
innovation.
Meanwhile, French insurance firm Descartes Underwriting,
which raised $120 million from investors in early stage
fundraising, said it would use part of the capital to hire new
staff, particularly software engineers.
SThree reported a 99% rise in pretax profit to 60 million
pounds ($80.5 million) for the 12 months ended Nov. 30. That was
also up 7% from 2019 levels.
The company, which also saw a 15% rise in annual net fees,
expects net fees and profits to rise by a double-digit
percentage this financial year.
($1 = 0.7450 pounds)
(Reporting by Amna Karimi and Yadarisa Shabong in Bengaluru
Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Mark Potter)
Robert Walters (RWA)