Tue, 26 May 2015 

Australian multi-sector recruiter Skilled Group has announced it is entering takeover talks with rival recruiter Programmed Group.

According to Reuters, the announcement comes four months after Skilled knocked back Programmed's approach to form a A$640m (£324m) combined firm.

In rejecting the offer, Skilled said it was focused on a restructure and the merger benefits offered by Programmed were mostly one-off administrative savings.

In statement released yesterday, Skilled said: “Programmed has indicated that it is prepared to enhance the terms upon which the companies may be combined and consequently, the Skilled and Programmed boards have agreed that there is merit in pursuing further discussions.”

If the deal goes ahead, it will represent further consolidation in the Australian staffing sector, following Japanese staffing firm Recruit’s announcement earlier this year of two Australian acquisitions.