Director dealings: New Hays CEO invests, Van Elle CFO covers tax bill

18th May 2026 12:36

(Sharecast News) - Hays chief executive Mark Dearnley and Van Elle finance chief Graeme Campbell were among directors disclosing share dealings to the London market on Monday.

Hays said Dearnley bought 485,500 ordinary shares in the recruitment company on 14 May at 30.34p each.

The on-market purchase, carried out on the London Stock Exchange, was worth about £147,331.

It came as Hays confirmed Dearnley's appointment as chief executive with immediate effect, after he had served as interim CEO since 27 February.

The company said he had previously been its chief digital and technology officer, having joined from Inchcape, and had held senior roles at Bain & Company, HM Revenue & Customs and Vodafone.

Separately, Van Elle Holdings said chief financial officer Graeme Campbell exercised options over 242,852 ordinary shares under the company's long-term incentive scheme at an exercise price of 2p per share.

He subsequently sold 109,843 shares at 50.5p each to meet the cost of the exercise and associated personal tax liabilities.

The AIM-traded ground engineering contractor said the awards were satisfied through a transfer from its Employee Benefit Trust.

Following the transactions, Campbell and persons closely associated with him held 208,009 Van Elle shares, representing about 0.19% of the company's issued share capital.

At 1230 BST, shares in Hays were up 0.71% at 30.19p, while those in Van Elle Holdings were down 1.18% at 50.4p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.

Top Director Buys

Hays (HAS)

Director name: Dearnley,Mark

Amount purchased: 485,500 @ 30.34p

Value: £147,300.70

Itm Power (ITM)

Director name: Bourne,Simon

Amount purchased: 92 @ 161.96p

Value: £149.00

Itm Power (ITM)

Director name: Schulz,Dennis

Amount purchased: 92 @ 161.96p

Value: £149.00

British Land Company (BLND)

Director name: Carter,Simon

Amount purchased: 39 @ 376.60p

Value: £146.87

Bae Systems (BA.)

Director name: Woodburn,Charles

Amount purchased: 8 @ 1,400.20p

Value: £112.02

British Land Company (BLND)

Director name: Carter,Simon

Amount purchased: 39 @ n/a

Value: n/a

Top Director Sells

Van Elle Holdings (VANL)

Director name: Campbell,Graeme

Amount sold: 109,843 @ 50.50p

Value: £55,470.71

Van Elle Holdings (VANL)

Director name: Campbell,Graeme

Amount sold: 109,843 @ 50.50p

Value: £55,470.71

Ethernity Networks Ltd (di) (ENET)

Director name: Levi,David

Amount sold: 6,860,000 @ n/a

Value: n/a