THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES TO THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION THAT QUALIFIED OR MAY HAVE QUALIFIED AS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) 596/2014 AS IT FORMS PART OF UK DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018

Norman Broadbent plc

("Norman Broadbent")

H1 2026 TRADING UPDATE

Strong performance and positive momentum underpins confident outlook

Norman Broadbent (AIM: NBB), a leading Executive Search and Interim Management firm with an ambitious growth plan to scale the business through disciplined investment in fee-earning capacity, is pleased to announce its trading update for the second quarter ended 30 June 2026 ("Q2 26").

Headlines

·     NFI of £3.1m for Q2 26 reflects a significant increase on Q1 26 NFI of £2.2m. Momentum has improved significantly year to date after a slow January, as we rebuilt the pipeline following the strong finish to 2025

·      Overall H1 26 NFI was £5.3m against a record first half performance in the prior year of £6.0m

·     Three net new fee earners started in the first half, with an additional four fee earners secured to join in the second half. Further recruitment is planned in line with the growth strategy

·    Complemented the organic growth strategy with the acquisition of Society Limited in February 2026.  The Group continues to look at targeted M&A to accelerate growth where it makes strategic and financial sense to do so

·     The improving NFI momentum year to date and increased level of work in progress underpin the Board's confidence in delivering a record level of NFI for the second half of the year

Kevin Davidson, CEO of Norman Broadbent, said:

"We are very encouraged to update the market on our positive trading performance in the second quarter. To deliver NFI above £3m, and ahead of the same period last year, for a quarter where the events in the Middle East were a constant, is a standout performance by the team. Continued geopolitical uncertainty, and political change in the UK, is impacting business confidence and therefore clients are taking longer to make hiring decisions. However, we have delivered a strong quarter and are reassured by the strong pick-up in retainer income which is a leading indicator for shortlist and placement fees. This is testament to the trust our clients place in our people and our brand. 

We continue to make great strides in delivering on our strategic goals for 2026 and beyond: investing in headcount growth and developing the team to drive our fee-earner capacity; expanding our international footprint; and broadening our leadership consulting and advisory proposition. As we deliver on our strategic goals we remain laser focused on short term performance, exceptional client delivery and leveraging our winning culture." 

Contacts: 

About Norman Broadbent:

Norman Broadbent (AIM: NBB) is a professional services firm focused on executive search, senior interim management solutions and bespoke leadership advisory services working across the UK and internationally.

Established as the first UK-headquartered search firm in 1979, the firm has a 40+ year track record of shaping leadership across industries including Consumer, Financial Services, Industrials, Life Sciences, Investor and TMT.

www.normanbroadbent.com