Financial highlights
Continuing operations(1) | 2021 | 2020 | Variance | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adjusted(2) | Reported | Adjusted(2) | Reported(2) | Movement(3) | Consistent currency movement(4) | |
Revenue | £1,330.7m | £1,330.7m | £1,202.6m | £1,202.6m | 11% | 14% |
Net fees | £355.7m | £355.7m | £306.8m | £306.8m | 15% | 19% |
Operating profit | £60.8m | £61.0m | £31.3m | £31.8m | 94% | 106% |
Operating profit conversion ratio | 17.10% | 17.10% | 10.10% | 10.30% | +7%pts | +7%pts |
Profit before taxation | £60.0m | £60.2m | £30.1m | £30.6m | 99% | 111% |
Basic earnings per share | 31.8p | 31.9p | 13.9p | 14.2p | 129% | 143% |
Proposed final dividend per share | 8.0p | 8.0p | 5.00p | 5.0p | 60% | 60% |
Total dividend (interim and final) per share | 11.0p | 11.0p | 5.00p | 5.0p | 120% | 120% |
Net cash(5) | £57.5m | £57.5m | £49.9m | £49.9m | 15% | 15% |
(1) Excluding discontinued operations in Australia.
(2) Excluding the impact of £0.2 million in net exceptional income (2020: £0.5 million in net exceptional income).
(3) Variance compares adjusted 2021 against adjusted 2020 to provide a like-for-like view.
(4) Variance compares adjusted 2021 against adjusted 2020 on a constant currency basis, whereby the prior year foreign exchange rates are applied to current and prior financial year results to remove the impact of exchange rate fluctuations.
(5) Net cash represents cash and cash equivalents less bank borrowings and bank overdrafts, excluding leases.
Five-year data
View historic financial documentsFinancial performance
Financial metrics presented for continuing operations only | 30 November 2021 | 30 November 2020 | 30 November 2019 | 30 November 2018 | 30 November 2017 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adjusted(1) | Adjusted(1) | Adjusted(2) | Adjusted(3) | Adjusted(4) | |
Revenue | £1330.7m | £1,202.6m | £1,324.7m | £1,235.8m | £1,089.2m |
Net fees | £355.7m | £308.6m | £338.0m | £316.5m | £281.9m |
Operating profit | £60.8m | £31.3m | £60.0m | £53.8m | £43.7m |
Total assets | £400.6m | £334.5m | £305.1m | £360.5m | £273.5m |
Total equity | £158.2m | £128.5m | £116.8m | £101.7m | £80.7m |
Net cash/(debt) | £57.5m | £49.9m | £10.6m | -£4.1m | £5.6m |
Cash from operations | £54.5m | £76.9m | £54.8m | £40.6m | £41.1m |
Financial ratios
Financial metrics presented for continuing operations only | 30 November 2021 | 30 November 2020 | 30 November 2019 | 30 November 2018 | 30 November 2017 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adjusted(1) | Adjusted(1) | Adjusted(2) | Adjusted(3) | Adjusted(4) | |
Conversion ratio (%) | 17.10% | 10.10% | 17.80% | 17% | 15.5 |
Free Cash conversion (%) | 40.40% | 177.80% | 68.30% | 47.70% | 66.50% |
Basic EPS (pence) | 31.8p | 13.9p | 33.2p | 30.7p | 24.70p |
Dividends per share (pence) | 11.0p | 5.0p | 15.3p | 14.0p | 14.00p |
Operational statistics
Financial metrics presented for continuing operations only | 30 November 2021 | 30 November 2020 | 30 November 2019 | 30 November 2018 | 30 November 2017 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adjusted(1) | Adjusted(1) | Adjusted(2) | Adjusted(3) | Adjusted(4) | |
Average total headcount(6) | 2,588 | 2,894 | 3,109 | 2,926 | 2,668 |
Average sales consultants(6) | 1,911 | 2,219 | 2,423 | 2,254 | 2,090 |
Active contractors at year end | 11,809 | 9,523 | 11,110 | 11,203 | 10,197 |
(1) Excluding the impact of £0.2 million in net exceptional income (2020: £0.5 million in net exceptional income).
(2) 2019 figures exclude the impact of £2.3 million in net exceptional strategic restructuring costs and CEO change costs.
(3) 2018 figures exclude the impact of £6.4 million in net exceptional strategic restructuring costs.
(4) 2017 figures exclude the impact of £6.7 million in net exceptional strategic restructuring costs.
(5) Net cash/(debt) represents cash & cash equivalents less borrowings and bank overdrafts, excluding leases.
(6) Based on full-time equivalents.
Segmental (net fees)
2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
DACH | 36% | 34% | 32% | 31% | 29% |
EMEA, excl DACH | 36% | 38% | 42% | 45% | 46% |
USA | 25% | 25% | 23% | 21% | 23% |
APAC | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 2% |
Contract % | 75% | 76% | 74% | 72% | 71% |
Permanent % | 25% | 24% | 26% | 28% | 29% |
Financial calendar
Financial results data
Read and download our annual and interim reports and access historical performance data, including webinars and presentations from previous years. Recap on our capital markets day presentation from 2019 and digest our most recent Gender Pay Gap and Impact reports.
View financial results archive

Useful links

Investor Centre
Discover how we deliver value for shareholders and investors in our business.
Visit Investor CentreRead our latest financial news
Financial Times names SThree on list of Europe’s Climate Leaders for second year
SThree has been included in the Financial Times-Statista list of Europe’s Climate Leaders for a second year in a row. Read about our ESG ...
Timo Lehne appointed CEO of SThree plc
SThree plc is pleased to announce the appointment of Timo Lehne as permanent Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect.
SThree partners with Earthly to support the natural revolution
SThree has teamed up with Earthly to continue its commitment to carbon removals and being a climate-conscious business.
SThree delivers very strong first quarter results with growth across all geographies and sectors
SThree has posted a very strong set of results for the first quarter (Q1) of 2022, with Group net fees up 29% year-on-year (YoY).
2021 Annual Report: Discover how SThree is delivering STEM talent
Read how SThree is connecting sought-after STEM specialists with pioneering global companies in our 2021 Annual Report and TCFD statement.
SThree posts record profits with performance up 111% year-on-year
Full-year results for the year ended 30 November 2021 show profit before tax of £60m.
SThree delivers record full-year net fee performance with strong growth across all major geographies
Increased demand for STEM skills and execution of our strategy sees net fees rise 19% year-on-year, to £355.7m, up 9% versus 2019.
SThree reports strong third-quarter results for 2021
Net fees up 29% y-o-y and full-year profits are expected to be significantly ahead of consensus.
SThree posts strong half-year results with profit growth surpassing pre-pandemic levels
Operating profit up 106% compared to half-year (HY) 2020, while contract and Permanent net fees up 8% and 18% respectively year-on-year.
SThree appoints new Chief Financial Officer
Andrew Beach will be instrumental in delivering further growth and ensuring the financial strength of our staffing services.
SThree recognised for five years of action against climate change
CDP awards B rating for voluntary disclosure programme after carbon emissions reduced by 12%.