Randstad N.V. — M&A Activity 2005

Dec 21, 2005

Randstad Holding nv Diemermere 25, Diemen P.O. Box 12600, NL-1100 AP Amsterdam z.o.

randstad holding

Press release

Randstad acquires financial recruitment specialist Martin Ward Anderson in the UK

Date December 21, 2005

More information Eva Lindner

Telephone +31 (0)20 569 56 23

Randstad Holding nv announces the acquisition of Martin Ward Anderson, a leading specialist financial recruitment company in the United Kingdom. This acquisition provides Randstad a platform for further growth in the UK recruitment market, one of the markets in which Randstad aims to expand its position in line with its strategy. The Randstad Group is active in 20 countries with a variety of HR services.

"The recruitment market in the UK is an attractive market, of which the financial recruitment sector is of particular interest. Martin Ward Anderson is a highly reputed company with good market positions in the areas of recruitment in which it is active. This transaction fits our strategy to use targeted acquisitions to achieve a head start in selected markets," says Ben Noteboom, CEO Randstad Holding.

Established in 1989, Martin Ward Anderson has a network of seven offices in the UK (London, Manchester, St. Albans, Guildford, Windsor, Milton Keynes and Southampton). The company also has an office in the Netherlands (Amsterdam). Martin Ward Anderson recruits finance professionals into permanent, temporary, contract and interim roles and offer a comprehensive range of services for both clients and candidates.

Martin Ward Anderson has a staff of 162 employees and realized a revenue of € 40 million (GBP 27 million) in 2004.

Randstad Holding nv specializes in solutions in the field of flexible work and human resources services with group companies in Europe, North America and Asia. The Randstad Group is one of the largest temporary employment organizations in the world and market leader in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland and the southeastern United States. Randstad is dedicated to matching at the right time, the demand by individuals for challenging and well-paid employment to the demand of organizations for employees of the right caliber and the right qualifications. The Group is active under the brand names Randstad, Yacht, Capac Inhouse Services, Tempo-Team, Otter-Westelaken and Profcore. Randstad Holding nv (Reuters: RAND.AS, Bloomberg: RAND NA) is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam exchange, where options for stocks in Randstad Holding are also traded. For more information about Randstad Holding see http://www.randstad.com.

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