Highams Systems Services Group plc 

('Highams' or 'the Group')

PRE-CLOSE TRADING STATEMENT

Highams Systems Services Group plc (HSS/L), the AIM-quoted IT recruitment consultancy, specialising in the financial services industry, provides the following pre-close trading update of its preliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2008. 

As announced in its interim results (announced 20/12/07), the Group expected to see its major investments of the first half of the year start to make an impact in the second half, with their benefit being more clearly evident in the current financial year.  Improvement has been made in the Group's performance in the second half of the financial year, with losses reducing in comparison to the previous period as planned . However, market conditions have become more challenging and we are seeing some delays in permanent hirings. The outlook for the sector remains difficult.

Given this wider adverse economic climate, the Board is conducting a further review of all aspects of its operations to see how best it can improve performance.  It is expected our preliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2008 will be announced in September. 

Enquiries: