As group finance officer of Hays plc since 2006, Paul Venables helped transform the company into the £6.59 billion global specialist recruiter it is today: With four divisions and 253 offices in 32 countries, Hays is the sixth-largest staffing firm in the world, according to SIA. A chartered accountant, Venables started his career at Deloitte & Touche, followed by a 13-year career at Exel plc, where he held several senior finance and operational roles, including deputy group finance director and executive board member. Venables retired from Hays in September and currently is a non-executive director and audit committee chair of Manchester Airports Group.
