Public sector recruiter Tribal Group has bought government headhunter Succession Planning Associates (SPA) for £3.1m.

Succession Planning Associates, which has a contract to supply senior staff to the cabinet office, oversees the recruitment of senior staff within the central government. Tribal Group provides outsourcing support services to the public and private sector.

The move is designed to complement the group’s existing search business and consolidate its position within the public sector. Last summer Tribal bought Geronimo Public Relations for £13.6m. Geronimo’s clients included several central government departments and agencies, such as the Department for Work and Pensions, the Department for Education and Skills, and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

Commenting on the acquisition, Tribal Group’s chief executive Henry Pitman SPA said: “The acquisition of SPA is an important step in our plan to develop the leading search and selection business operating across the public sector.”