New York-headquartered global executive search and strategic consulting firm Options Group is to acquire Whitney Correlate, a Hong Kong and Singapore-based capital markets search firm.

The deal allows Options to expand its investment banking and capital markets divisions, while allowing Whitney Correlate access to a larger client base. 

Whitney Correlate co-founders Russell Kopp and Niall MacDonald will join Options Group’s existing Asia team.

Options Group will also bring onboard the following staff members:

• Phoebe Ling, a buy-side specialist with a product focus on private equity and regional focus on South-East Asia

• William Raeburn Ward, who will be returning to Options Group as an investment banking consultant

• Catherine Chen, a generalist consultant

• Matthew MacDonald, who will relocate to London and serve as a FICC [the group within an investment bank that handles fixed-income instruments, currencies and commodities] consultant.

The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter, subject to completion of certain conditions.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.